Napoli manager Antonio Conte waxed lyrical about high-flying midfielder Scott McTominay ahead of today's Serie A clash against Lecce. The trophy-laden coach praised the Scotland international's rise to prominence at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this season.
McTominay swapped Manchester United for Napoli last summer, with the Partenopei coughing out £25.7 million to sign him. Little did anyone know the 28-year-old would become such an influential figure in Naples in his first season in Serie A.
Indeed, the prolific midfielder has tallied 12 league goals this season, most recently netting a match-winning brace against Torino last weekend. McTominay's exploits have helped Napoli move three points ahead in a dynamic Scudetto race, overtaking reigning champions Inter ahead of the final four rounds.
"He feels more complete and knowledgeable and he's reaching a key stage in his career where he needs to decide his direction. He never had a primary role at Man United, while here we gave him one," the Napoli boss said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
"He's worked hard and now he's a complete player. His improvement has been shared by the whole team. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain how we've earned 74 points."
With Napoli facing four bottom-half rivals down the final stretch, the belief in winning a second title in three seasons is starting to grow. However, Conte knows better than to take anything for granted, even though his men are in pole position to dethrone Inter.
"We know it would be exceptional, but we haven't done anything yet. I know football well and we need to remain focused," the Napoli coach added.
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