Scott McTominay`s transition to a left winger role at Napoli this season has resulted in notable changes to his on-field performance. While maintaining his goal contribution rate, McTominay`s new position has altered various aspects of his game.
The arrival of Kevin De Bruyne at the Stadio Maradona prompted McTominay`s shift from his usual central midfield position. Last season, the Scottish international primarily operated in the center, occasionally drifting to the left to support attacks.
McTominay`s Adapted Role
This season has seen McTominay predominantly deployed as a left winger or left midfielder, significantly changing his contribution to the team. Despite some Italian media outlets suggesting a decline in effectiveness, McTominay has matched his goal involvement from the same period last year, with one goal and one assist in the opening five league matches.
Statistical Comparison: 2024-25 vs 2025-26 (First Five Serie A Games)
A closer look at McTominay`s statistics reveals interesting shifts in his performance:
- Total shots: Increased from 11 to 13
- Shots on target: Doubled from 3 to 6
- Touches in opposition box: Increased from 17 to 21
- Successful dribbles: Slightly decreased from 4 to 3
- Possession won: Decreased from 23 to 17
- Interceptions: Reduced from 5 to 3
- Successful passes: Significantly increased from 94 to 130
These statistics indicate that McTominay`s new role has enhanced his attacking threat, with more shots, particularly on target, and increased involvement in the opposition`s penalty area. However, this has come at the cost of fewer defensive actions, such as ball recoveries and interceptions.
The substantial increase in successful passes suggests that McTominay is more involved in the team`s build-up play from his new position. This change in role demonstrates Napoli`s tactical evolution and McTominay`s adaptability as a player.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how McTominay continues to adapt to his new position and whether this tactical shift proves beneficial for both the player and Napoli in their Serie A campaign.