Conte admits McTominay has been overloaded at Napoli | OneFootball

Antonio Conte has admitted that Scott McTominay has struggled with an ‘overload’ this week ahead of Napoli’s upcoming Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday, but believes that fellow Scotland international Billy Gilmour had a ‘great chance’ to prove his qualities against Inter last week.

Following his debut off the bench against Cagliari in September, McTominay has lined up as a starter in every single one of Napoli’s league matches this season and has only been substituted off in two out of those 23 matches.

Dependable in the Partenopei midfield up until this point, the former Manchester United midfielder has also chipped in with six goals and four assists from his 24 Serie A appearances this term.

Conte admits to McTominay doubt after Napoli ‘overload’

NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 01: Scott Mctominay of Napoli competes for the ball with Denzel Dumfries of Inter during the Serie A match between Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

However, Conte admits that he had a doubt over McTominay in training ahead of Fiorentina due to the number of minutes he has played so far this term, which meant that he did not train fully with his teammates this week.

“He had an overload, he trained a little less than the others for a couple of days,” Conte revealed during his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“We have 24 hours and we will evaluate the best solution together with the boy.”

Conte also expressed his satisfaction with Gilmour’s performance, who was given a rare starting opportunity in midfield in the absence of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

EMPOLI, ITALY – OCTOBER 20: Billy Gilmour of SSC Napoli celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between Empoli and Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 20, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Gilmour had a great chance against Inter and I was clear with the boys: In the last 11 games, those who are deserving will play. There is no fixed place. There are 11 games, 11 battles, 11 finals. Gilmour did very well against Inter, he will play against Fiorentina. Will he do well, or will he play in the next one? Those on the outside will have to change my mind.”

Click here to read more from Conte’s pre-match press conference.