Tag: Napoli

McTominay rejects ‘leave United and thrive’ narrative after Napoli title

Scott McTominay
December 2025

McTominay rejects the idea that players suddenly improve only after leaving Manchester United, noting he finished his final season strongly before thriving at Napoli. He argues former team-mates like Rashford and Antony always had quality but now benefit from more minutes and reduced scrutiny elsewhere. He says success away from Old Trafford stems more from confidence and opportunity than any fundamental flaw at United, stressing that stars must earn minutes there like Bruno Fernandes. McTominay credits Napoli’s environment and his freer attacking role for his title-winning surge in Serie A.

Mourinho jokes McTominay “owed” him his shirt after Benfica win

Jose Mourinho
December 2025

Mourinho walked into his press conference carrying McTominay’s Napoli shirt, joking that after giving him his Manchester United debut and even benching Paul Pogba for him, the least the midfielder could do was hand over his jersey as a souvenir. He described a warm post match exchange with McTominay and used the Scot’s journey from overlooked academy player to Serie A star as an example for Benfica youngsters. Mourinho highlighted how trust, work rate and professionalism can outweigh transfer fees when a coach decides who to back.

Wes Brown pours cold water on talk of McTominay return to Manchester United

Scott McTominay
November 2025

Scott McTominay’s explosive form for Napoli has sparked talk of a dramatic Old Trafford return, but Wes Brown says a move back to Manchester United is highly unlikely, even as he hails the midfielder’s rise into a goal-scoring leader for club and country. Sold for £26m in 2024, McTominay has thrived in a freer role, hitting 13 goals, winning Serie A MVP and driving Scotland back to the World Cup, with Brown arguing he now plays in his true box-to-box position and would cost United a premium they are unlikely to pay.

Eberechi Eze names Kevin De Bruyne as his toughest Premier League opponent

Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
November 2025

Eberechi Eze has picked Kevin De Bruyne as the hardest opponent he has faced in the Premier League, highlighting the Belgian’s intelligence, consistency and ability to solve problems on the pitch before his summer switch from Manchester City to Napoli. Speaking on GOAL’s Beast Mode On podcast, Eze described De Bruyne as a “high-level thinker” who always seemed two steps ahead, praising a decade of elite output in England and acknowledging that even as an admirer growing up, facing him live underlined how special he is.

Napoli target Quinten Timber as Conte reacts to De Bruyne and Anguissa injury crisis

Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
November 2025

apoli have moved for Quinten Timber (Feyenoord) as midfield injuries to Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli) force Antonio Conte to seek a powerful, all action presence who can restore balance and intensity in a system built on winning duels and playing vertically. Timber’s mix of physicality, pressing, progressive passing and goal threat impressed during Feyenoord’s title campaigns, while his contract to 2026 gives clubs leverage as Feyenoord try to avoid losing their captain for nothing, with Arsenal and brother Jurrien Timber (Arsenal) adding extra competition for his signature.

United, Napoli discuss accelerating Højlund’s permanent move to January

Manchester United
October 2025

Loan includes a €44m obligation in June 2026 if Napoli reach UCL; both clubs now exploring a January conversion after Højlund’s four goals in six games. United, pivoting post-Sesko pursuit, are ready to move on; Napoli want certainty to lock a Conte-system striker amid title ambitions. Pricing likely mirrors the clause with minor adjustments (fee phasing, achievable add-ons). FFP cash-flow and amortisation timing drive United’s openness to early sale, while Napoli balance winter liquidity with sporting upside. Player fit under Conte—runs across the line, pressing triggers, near-post attacking—supports permanence if medical and image-rights formalities clear promptly.

Referee Mariani stood down after Napoli–Inter penalty controversy

Maurizio Mariani
October 2025

Designator Gianluca Rocchi “stopped” referee Mariani and assistant Bindoni following a delayed flag that precipitated a soft Napoli penalty, plus a missed Inter handball. The procedural “short circuit” and “too serious errors” could see Mariani demoted. Kevin De Bruyne converted the contentious spot-kick as Napoli regained top spot in a fiery title-race fixture.

McTominay weighs Premier League return amid off-pitch strain

Scott McTominay (Napoli)
October 2025

Despite a title, 12 league goals and Serie A POTY last season, McTominay is reportedly struggling with the relentless public attention in Naples. With three early-season strikes and Napoli third, The Sun links Premier League clubs to a potential 2026 move. The Scotland international values on-pitch fit but seeks improved privacy and balance as speculation intensifies.

Conte, Lautaro trade insults as Napoli beat Inter 3–1

Antonio Conte; Lautaro Martínez (Napoli)
October 2025

De Bruyne converted a penalty but exited hurt; McTominay ended a five-game league drought. Inter rallied via Çalhanoğlu’s spot kick before Anguissa sealed it. Amid touchline fracas, Lautaro gestured Conte was “scared,” while Conte crudely retorted. Napoli returned top by one point over Milan, while Inter rued discipline and defending despite stretches of control.

Napoli routed at PSV despite McTominay brace

Scott McTominay (Napoli)
October 2025

Napoli lost 6–2 at PSV. McTominay opened the scoring and added a late second, but defensive collapses turned the night into a thrashing, compounding post-Torino concerns and exposing transition frailties that left Conte furious on the touchline. PSV punished Napoli’s high fullbacks with direct runs and third-man combinations, repeatedly isolating centre-backs in space. Napoli’s rest defence failed on clearances and second balls, while late chasing further widened gaps that PSV exploited for two stoppage-time daggers.

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