Gianfranco Zola thinks Scott McTominay will be the key player as Napoli try to stay in the Champions League against his old team, Chelsea, on Wednesday night. The Serie A champions are in 25th place, one spot outside the playoffs, and they need to win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to make sure they move on to next month’s knockout stage.
McTominay has scored four goals in his last five Champions League games, making him Napoli’s most dangerous attacking player in Europe this season. The Scotland international, who joined from Manchester United for £25.7 million in August 2024, has been a key player in Antonio Conte’s team’s Serie A title win.
Zola, who played for Chelsea twice, thinks the 28-year-old midfielder has what it takes to hurt the Blues. Zola told IlNapolista, as reported by Football Italia:
“These games are won by the team, not individuals. But McTominay has the presence and personality to make the difference. He’s the kind of player who can produce the decisive moment.”
Mo Johnston was the last Scotsman to score five goals in a single European Cup season for Rangers in 1990-91. If McTominay scores in Naples, he will make history. He has already won the Serie A Footballer of the Year award and finished 18th in the Ballon d’Or rankings after a spectacular first season in which he scored 12 league goals.
Chelsea Get Ready For The Napoli Test
Liam Rosenior’s team are currently in the last place in the top eight, but their next game on Wednesday in Naples will be their hardest test of the league phase. Last week, the 41-year-old beat Pafos 1-0, making it his third win in four games. This was the first time in five years that a Chelsea manager had won their first Champions League match.
Rosenior will be concerned about Chelsea’s record against Italian teams in the Champions League, as they have won just one of their last 9 away games. In terms of player availability, Tosin Adarabioyo, a defender for the west London team, will not be able to play due to injury. Cole Palmer is still questionable after missing the win over Crystal Palace because of a small thigh problem.
Chelsea know that they will probably need to win their last game to stay in the top eight, and goal difference could be very important. The Blues have earned 13 points in seven games, but their +6 goal difference makes it easy for the teams behind them to catch up.