Nicolò Zaniolo

[arunspurs]

This was Zaniolo's youth year at Inter which got his Roma big money move
You can see his passing range from middle of the park and also the runs.

He has to rediscover that form. If we get him, it would be really interesting to see how Conte gets the best of him.

 

[double0]

Honestly at this point I just want us to sign him because we will be more entertaining to watch with him on the pitch. The football has been god awful this season and without Kulusevski almost unwatchable.

It would just be nice to have a player who, when he receives the ball, I am actually going to enjoy what happens next.

Apart from Kane and Kulusevski, the rest have no creative entertainment value.

Son is inconsistent but can be explosive Bentancur elegant but yeah our team isn't winning much and in desperate need of reinforcements.

 

[parj]

Given how we treat out of form players or players being played in wrong position, I would rather not.

Let's get players already playing in the positions required otherwise we will keep hearing manager not being backed, players being signed for wrong positions blah blah blah blah.

 

[Finchyid]

I’ve not seen much of him but it does make me worry when you see links saying that we’re competing with West Ham & Nottingham Forrest for his signature (hardly attracting the big teams is he)

Means nothing. He’s been linked with arsenal

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

To progress the ball effectively there are different ways to do it.

1. Big hoof to a target man - clubs do not use this technique as generally defenders find it easy to deal with (especially in the prem). As we do not have a target man, we cannot really play this way. As an option it is great though, Uniteds signing of Weghorst provides this option.

2. Through the wide areas - this involves long diagonals and pace, the crossing ability needs to be exceptional. As we have poor wingbacks and only really Kulusevski to do this, it is not really working too well. With better wingbacks we could do this, also with CBs who can play the passes (think Toby).

3. Passing and finding space, this is through creative midfielders who can pick a pass, either by patiently waiting for the space to open up. We have no players (bar Kane) who has the ability to play like this. Think about City. You also need great movement for this to work

4. Ball carriers - Neymar, Grealish and Zaniolo to name a few, infact I saw Rashford providing this role for United yesterday as well. Again we do not have anyone to do this (apart form Kulusevski)

Now off the top of my head City have Haaland (1), Mahrez, Fodon (2), De Bruyne, Fodon, Silva etc (3) Grealish (4)

The point of all this is to show that really apart from Kane and Kulusevski we have fuck all ways to progress the ball, which makes us tedious to watch. And nothing if they don't drop deep.

Zaniolo is (4) so for me him or a player like him is a real need for us. Better options from wingback (Porro) and a CB who can pass (actually Lenglet is good at this and so is Romero)

Having 2 of Hoijberg, bentancur or Bissouma for me is overkill, especillay when you are playing 3 centre backs, but those are the only options Conte has. Players who can progress the ball (through ball carrying or passing, short or long are vital) We don't have enough (any)

Playing a 352 with hoijberg, bentancur and bissouma would be ridiculous. I imagine the idea for Conte is to play both Zaniolo and Kulusevski on the pitch at the same time, which would at the very least make it possible to watch us without wanting to shoot myself.

It would also mean we can drop one of Hoijberg or Son who are both ridiculously off form.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

He'd almost certainly be asking Conte personally where he saw him fitting in, and how he was planning to use him going forward. They aren't all as naive as Djed Spence.

And of course Conte would just tell him the truth...

 

[Trix]

And of course Conte would just tell him the truth...

I get you don't want Conte here, you are making that clear in every thread, but do you really think Conte is pushing for specific players, and will lie to them to get them here if he's planning to fuck off as soon as he can? What would be the point in that? Why not just coast through till he gets the sack, or better still just leave?

It's such an obvious bias you are projecting on everything Conte right now because you want him out, even to that point that what you are suggesting has no logic to it whatsoever.

 

[SandroClegane]

Can't see Dortmund on there...

Pedulla is a notoriously bad source.

DiMarzio is reporting Dortmund, which has been posted in this thread too.

 

[soflapaul]

the thing about Zaniolo and Porro (and a ball playing center back for that matter) is that they all create more space and time for other players raising everyone's game. While Modric was our ultimate player for this and Dembele second, having NZ attacking would force a second and possibly third defender to overplay their positions to insure against him getting behind. That gives Sonny, Kulu, Richy or Kane that extra foot or two which if they are on form, is all they need. We will be significantly harder to defend against relieving pressure on the defense.

 

[TheWook]

He'll go to the physio "I have a problem with my ACL" and get referred on to our IT department

Has he tried turning it off and on again?

 

[gavspur]

I know he’s had problems with ACL injuries, but his mum has always been fit. Just saying.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

I get you don't want Conte here, you are making that clear in every thread, but do you really think Conte is pushing for specific players, and will lie to them to get them here if he's planning to fuck off as soon as he can? What would be the point in that? Why not just coast through till he gets the sack, or better just leave?

It's such an obvious bias you are projecting on everything Conte right now because you want him out, even to that point that what you are suggesting has no logic to it whatsoever.

You can throw the bias thing at most of my points, and it’s true. And I agree that Conte working hard on his preferred players is a sign that he is committed for now, but no way does a prospective player get any privileged access to Conte’s plans. No one works that way.

 

[Trix]

You can throw the bias thing at most of my points, and it’s true. And I agree that Conte working hard on his preferred players is a sign that he is committed for now, but no way does a prospective player get any privileged access to Conte’s plans. No one works that way.

No of course not, but he's going to ask what his plans for himself are as will his agent. Conte's job, like every manager, is to sell his vision to the player, and where he see's him fitting in to that. Again if he was planning to fuck off somewhere else why bother pushing for specific players?

 

[H-SF]

Hardly promising. It's Zaniolo btw

 

[synththfc]

Hardly promising. It's Zaniolo btw

I refuse to judge the statistics of anyone playing under the guise of Jose Mourinho.

 

[taidgh]

I refuse to judge the statistics of anyone playing under the guise of Jose Mourinho.

 

[arunspurs]

Hardly promising. It's Zaniolo btw

I bet Kulusevski first half season (21/22) numbers at Juve was similar...

If we buy Zaniolo, he gets a clean slate.

 

[cider spurs]

I've not been Zaniolo's biggest fan. Never really got the hype.

However, if Conte wants him, then i can't deny, i'm intrigued to see what kind of tune he can get out of him, and in what position.

 

[EastUpperDK82]

I've not been Zaniolo's biggest fan. Never really got the hype.

However, if Conte wants him, then i can't deny, i'm intrigued to see what kind of tune he can get out of him, and in what position.

And that's why he only makes sense if Conte stays... he's clearly handpicked by Conte. Otherwise. No thanks.

 

[Dakes]

To progress the ball effectively there are different ways to do it.

1. Big hoof to a target man - clubs do not use this technique as generally defenders find it easy to deal with (especially in the prem). As we do not have a target man, we cannot really play this way. As an option it is great though, Uniteds signing of Weghorst provides this option.

2. Through the wide areas - this involves long diagonals and pace, the crossing ability needs to be exceptional. As we have poor wingbacks and only really Kulusevski to do this, it is not really working too well. With better wingbacks we could do this, also with CBs who can play the passes (think Toby).

3. Passing and finding space, this is through creative midfielders who can pick a pass, either by patiently waiting for the space to open up. We have no players (bar Kane) who has the ability to play like this. Think about City. You also need great movement for this to work

4. Ball carriers - Neymar, Grealish and Zaniolo to name a few, infact I saw Rashford providing this role for United yesterday as well. Again we do not have anyone to do this (apart form Kulusevski)

Now off the top of my head City have Haaland (1), Mahrez, Fodon (2), De Bruyne, Fodon, Silva etc (3) Grealish (4)

The point of all this is to show that really apart from Kane and Kulusevski we have fuck all ways to progress the ball, which makes us tedious to watch. And nothing if they don't drop deep.

Zaniolo is (4) so for me him or a player like him is a real need for us. Better options from wingback (Porro) and a CB who can pass (actually Lenglet is good at this and so is Romero)

Having 2 of Hoijberg, bentancur or Bissouma for me is overkill, especillay when you are playing 3 centre backs, but those are the only options Conte has. Players who can progress the ball (through ball carrying or passing, short or long are vital) We don't have enough (any)

Playing a 352 with hoijberg, bentancur and bissouma would be ridiculous. I imagine the idea for Conte is to play both Zaniolo and Kulusevski on the pitch at the same time, which would at the very least make it possible to watch us without wanting to shoot myself.

It would also mean we can drop one of Hoijberg or Son who are both ridiculously off form.

Great post!