Billy Gilmour exclusive: Napoli midfielder on playing under Antonio Conte and 'biggest lesson' since Serie A arrival
ByTNT UK
Published 28/02/2025 at 13:41 GMT
Midfielder Billy Gilmour says he has had a "really enjoyable" start to life in Italy after signing for Napoli at the start of the 2024/25 season. As well as a change in culture, the former Chelsea player is adapting to a different style of football in Serie A, and has told TNT Sports that the tactical side of the league is the biggest lesson he’s learned so far.
Gilmour on Conte’s 'big expectations' for Napoli and the glorious Italian sunshine
Video credit: TNT Sports
Billy Gilmour is enjoying the lessons learnt during his new adventure in Italy, having signed for Napoli last summer.
Playing alongside Scotland team-mate Scott McTominay, who also joined the Italian side back in August, he has been part of a resurgent campaign for Napoli, who are currently second in Serie A.
Gilmour is being managed by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who was appointed following last season’s disappointing 10th-place league finish.
Having played Premier League football for Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as a loan spell at Norwich City, Gilmour has highlighted one of the biggest differences he has noticed since moving abroad.
"The biggest lesson is it’s very tactical," he said during an exclusive interview with TNT Sports.
"It’s a very different league, but a good league also. Antonio Conte has put big expectation on us to go out there and perform every week, and we’re trying to do that for our fans and to be as best as possible as a team.
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"My first season in Italian football has been very enjoyable. I’m settling in well and we’re doing well as a team. I hope things just get better."
After a seven-game winning streak through December and January, Napoli’s form has declined during February. They drew three league games in a row before losing to Como on Sunday.
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Despite that, they remain just one point off Serie A leaders Inter Milan, who they will face in a crunch match at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this Saturday, March 1.
Gilmour is also relishing life in Italy. Born and raised in Scotland, he is used to his fair share of wet weather. However, a move to the Mediterranean has provided him with some welcome relief from the rain.
"My favourite thing living in Naples has definitely got to be the weather," he said.
"I’m from the UK so don’t get to see much sun. The weather’s really nice and the city’s very busy and all the fans come out to Naples, so I’m enjoying it."
McTominay is Gilmour’s only compatriot in the Napoli squad, and naturally, the pair have had to start learning Italian.
Gilmour also revealed he was recently "told off" for picking up some of the language by listening to music in the changing room, rather than the traditional way to learn.
He revealed: "I got told off, I got told not to listen to the songs. If I’m going to learn Italian, learn it properly. I just listened to a couple of songs in the changing room and really liked it."
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