Scott McTominay has been labeled an "average player" by former AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, despite the Scot's consistent goal contributions for Napoli in the 2024–25 season. Speaking on Sky Calcio Unplugged, Nainggolan dismissed McTominay's technical ability, arguing that while he scores regularly, he lacks the skill to build play or operate effectively between the lines. "He scores a lot of goals, but in general play… he'll always get 12, 13, 14 goals, but if he has to build play, he doesn't have the technique to operate between the lines. He's an average player," Nainggolan said. The Belgian compared himself favorably to McTominay and Hakan Calhanoglu, placing Nicolo Barella above all three as the standout midfielder. Nainggolan praised Barella for his impact, stating, "He doesn't always score many goals, but when he does, they are important, and you can always feel the difference when he plays." The comments come amid McTominay's productive spell in Serie A, where his goal output has drawn attention, though questions about his overall game persist. No match events, injuries or transfers involving McTominay were reported in the source.
Labeling a player as "average" while acknowledging he scores 12 to 14 goals a season exposes a bias toward technical flair over consistent output. The critique reveals more about Nainggolan's personal standards than McTominay's actual value to Napoli. No Nigerian or African player was mentioned in the discussion.
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