McTominay and Hojlund Thrive at Napoli Under Conte

omidbasir- Scott McTominay, who had been with Manchester United since the age of five, made a notable transition to Napoli in the summer of 2024. He made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in 36 Serie A appearances, helping Conte’s squad secure the league title. McTominay is not alone in his successes; Rasmus Hojlund, another former Manchester United player, joined Napoli on loan last summer after a challenging season at Old Trafford. Hojlund has already netted nine goals across all competitions for his new club, and his loan agreement includes an option for a permanent transfer, with the young striker already viewing himself as a Napoli player.

Antonio Conte has praised McTominay’s development under his guidance, stating, “In this year and a half, McTominay has evolved into a complete player. When I faced him as an opponent in England, I recognized his quality, particularly in attacking the box. We focused on enhancing his build-up play, transforming him into a more well-rounded midfielder. Now, alongside Stanislav Lobotka, he has significantly improved in that area while retaining his ability to contribute offensively. He is, in my opinion, a top player for an important club. Similar improvements can be seen in Rasmus Hojlund. At just 22 years old, he has considerable potential for growth. We are fortunate to have both players, as they have been instrumental to our success.”

As McTominay and Napoli prepare to face Chelsea in the Champions League, he reflects on their mixed results thus far in the competition. He noted, “We’ve let a few opportunities slip, like our draws against Frankfurt and Copenhagen. A red card early in the game against Manchester City impacted us significantly. It’s been a roller coaster, and we are still gauging our standing in this competition. Securing a victory against Chelsea would allow us to approach the next round with confidence, reaffirming our ambition to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage. Tomorrow’s match is crucial; we need to deliver our best performance.”

Currently, Napoli’s struggles in the Champions League could lead to an early exit unless they secure a win and rely on favorable outcomes from other matches. Chelsea, sitting in eighth place, are aware that a victory could suffice for automatic qualification to the next stage.