Nicolò Zaniolo

[Mediocrates]

I don't either actually although I'm siding with the not so keen crew, probably solely because I'd rather sign a player who hasn't done both of his ACLs and there's quite a long list of people who have actually worked with the fella saying he could be more professional. He's a young guy so maybe that's not an issue but it's still there to be read so I'm cautious

Maddison was caught in a casino during an England match he’d had to withdraw from, he was older than 22 at the time as well. Kids makes mistakes.

 

[dellybelly]

Along with "end of"

And "just sayin".

 

[Trix]

I can't argue that's it's better to actually watch a player throughout the season but some who have done just that say he has issues playing the pass and tried to do it all himself, which you can see in the clips. It's not just about the clips,Ike you said it's about the context.

Indeed, and you have to remember what Jose wanted him to do will not be the same as what Conte is asking from him. As I posted early this morning...

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Conte believes he has the potential to be one of the very best, he also believes he's been badly mismanaged and used poorly when he's been played. The injuries are a concern and any deal we might do will certainly need to reflect this, and at the moment the financials aren't working. It's all a bit complicated as far as negotiations are concerned. FP is speaking to Roma, and his agent was at HW yesterday. We think there is a deal to be done(and we'd certainly like to) but what that deal will look like I'm not sure. I don't see at this stage Madison happening but I think this one has a better than average chance IMO.

The part in bold is so important when looking at his output from last season.

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

The only thing stopping me saying I’d absolutely take him over Maddison is our home grown situation. If we’re solving that in another way, I’d go Zaniolo all day. He’s exactly what we need.

I confess that I know almost nothing about him.

What makes you so keen on him, especially given his past injuries and the fact that he has apparently had to change how he plays? What would he bring to the team / squad that we don't already have? Or is it mostly that you just trust Conte to revive his career and help him to fulfil his potential?

Edit: just seen Trix above about his post earlier this morning. That explains it pretty well.

 

[Gollorius]

7 different reasons??

I can see hip flexor that kept him out for 2 games which were 4 days apart, so less than a week
He missed one game with a knee injury.
He missed 2 games 3 months apart with 2 separate muscular injuries.
1 game with unknown which 9 times out of 10 a sickness bug or food poisoning that is never diagnosed for the actual cause.

So basically nothing more than niggles that most players pick up over a season and wouldn't be a concern with other players. Certainly nothing to suggest it has any correlation to the ACL issues.

From what I can see you are then adding on suspensions for yellow/red cards of which he missed 4 games. However despite all that he still played in 42 games last season which is a very high amount for a young player, and especially for one coming back from such a long term injury.

Nope, used this. Doesn't make for good reading - but someone replied saying this is incorrect, I have no way of verifying.

 

[Scot-Spur]

Actually like him, different to Maddison and what I thought we would go for. However if Conte and Paratici think he is the best fit, he could be a monster and a change of scenery might help him focus.

 

[dellybelly]

7 different reasons??

I can see hip flexor that kept him out for 2 games which were 4 days apart, so less than a week
He missed one game with a knee injury.
He missed 2 games 3 months apart with 2 separate muscular injuries.
1 game with unknown which 9 times out of 10 a sickness bug or food poisoning that is never diagnosed for the actual cause.

So basically nothing more than niggles that most players pick up over a season and wouldn't be a concern with other players. Certainly nothing to suggest it has any correlation to the ACL issues.

From what I can see you are then adding on suspensions for yellow/red cards of which he missed 4 games. However despite all that he still played in 42 games last season which is a very high amount for a young player, and especially for one coming back from such a long term injury.

"You can explain it to them. You can't understand it for them". James O'Brien 2022.

 

[felmani26]

The only thing stopping me saying I’d absolutely take him over Maddison is our home grown situation. If we’re solving that in another way, I’d go Zaniolo all day. He’s exactly what we need.

We really do need someone competent taking set pieces though.

A true dead ball specialist under Gianni Vio with our larger than average and physically dominant side could be the difference this season.

 

[cookiemonster]

Is his mum a problem?

 

[danny32]

Is his mum a problem?

yep, she won't return my calls

 

[Trix]

Nope, used this. Doesn't make for good reading - but someone replied saying this is incorrect, I have no way of verifying. View attachment 114822

Well that is different to transfermarkt what site is it?

 

[GetSpurredOn]

Regarding Zainolo’s injuries, I had ACL reconstruction ten years ago, and (touch wood) I’ve never had any issues with that knee since, got back to the same level of rugby as I previously played too with minimal trouble (only age related by then). Hamstrings did become more susceptible to pulls and strains as they used a piece of a hamstring tendon to rebuild my ACL. Now I’m just an average Joe, I’d assume whilst a professional athlete will put their body under greater stress and demands, equally they will be given far better ongoing physio support and rehab to minimise any lasting impact.

As a player, I think he does look like he’d fit that same role as Kulusevski very well, meaning we can rotate to keep them both fresh, would give us that ‘two per position’ depth. My question here would be where that leaves Moura, as we don’t need 3 RWF’s. I don’t think he can function as a LWF coming onto his right foot in the same way Son does, and I don’t see him as a Kane backup either, so either he is being seen as RW and RWB cover to get more gametime options, or is surplus to requirements. Don’t get the feeling he is on the ‘Out’ list with Conte.

I’d initially preferred Paqueta, or maybe Madison or SMS given the recent suggestions, as left sided/right footed alternatives for the AM/WF option. But I can see what Zainolo could bring, and if he’s a Conte pick, great. If we could lump one of our fringe players to Roma as part of the deal to bring the price down, double win.

 

[chrisd2k]

Indeed, and you have to remember what Jose wanted him to do will not be the same as what Conte is asking from him. As I posted early this morning...



The part in bold is so important when looking at his output from last season.

Fair enough and as you say I'm sure Conte has a plan.

 

[Trix]

We really do need someone competent taking set pieces though.

A true dead ball specialist under Gianni Vio with our larger than average and physically dominant side could be the difference this season.

I get this but if you are going to be bringing in a set piece specialist don't they need to be on the pitch more often than not? And for that player to be an out and out AM like Madison does that not mean not playing one of the front three that was by far our best attribute last season? It's all well and good everyone clambering for a top class big money AM, and as a tactical switch I get it, but playing one means sacrificing Deki because no way is Conte giving up on 3 at the back or having two ball winners in the middle.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

Looks like something from BBC Casualty..

Nicolò Zaniolo - Injury history

This is the injury history of Nicolò Zaniolo from Aston Villa. On this page injuries as well as suspensions.

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Fuck the YT clips of what he is doing at Roma. We are all fully aware of how Jose sets up and plays, wouldn't expect to see anything other than his teams counter attacking.

Everything needs to be assessed within the correct context! That's why I'll never take the opinions of those watching YT clips and quoting transfermarkt stats as anything other than not really knowing much about the player at all.

Yep they’re fairly meaningless really because it all depends on context. How fit is the player, how motivated is the player, does the manager like and motivate the player, does the player thrive in that managers tactics or not etc etc.

YouTube clips and stats in isolation give a small indication but unless you really watch the player and understand where he is fitting into his current team and how he’s performed in the past then ‘one’ lacks context and the overall picture. We know this full well from people writing off Bentancur and Kulu as going to be flops due to some opinions on a Juve fan forum.

As has been said many many times, ultimately if AC and FP rate him and see him having the desired skill set to fit into the squad puzzle and style of play/formation then that is the most important thing as to if we go for any player.

 

[djhotspur]

I get this but if you are going to be bringing in a set piece specialist don't they need to be on the pitch more often than not? And for that player to be an out and out AM like Madison does that not mean not playing one of the front three that was by far our best attribute last season? It's all well and good everyone clambering for a top class big money AM, and as a tactical switch I get it, but playing one means sacrificing Deki because no way is Conte giving up on 3 at the back or having two ball winners in the middle.

I get your points, but the only thing worth mentioning is that Addison had his most success when he moved to RW in the second half of the season last year. As Leicester moved away from the AM system

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

7 different reasons??

I can see hip flexor that kept him out for 2 games which were 4 days apart, so less than a week
He missed one game with a knee injury.
He missed 2 games 3 months apart with 2 separate muscular injuries.
1 game with unknown which 9 times out of 10 a sickness bug or food poisoning that is never diagnosed for the actual cause.

So basically nothing more than niggles that most players pick up over a season and wouldn't be a concern with other players. Certainly nothing to suggest it has any correlation to the ACL issues.

From what I can see you are then adding on suspensions for yellow/red cards of which he missed 4 games. However despite all that he still played in 42 games last season which is a very high amount for a young player, and especially for one coming back from such a long term injury.

Spot on mate!!!

If he’d been continually tearing muscles left right and centre and out for 2,4,6,8 weeks at a time then sure there’d be some real concern there but as you’ve stated and as I said before in my post on him, he only missed 4 league games this season and the games he has missed were all due to very minor muscular injuries and in one case likely a bug so really not a particularly big concern at all.

The main risk here is more can he find his pre ACL form but as we’ve seen with many players , when given a clear specific role in contes system they tend to thrive. Whereas many are stifled under Jose.

 

[chrisd2k]

I suppose the question should be, does getting this guy mean the end of a Paquetà or Maddison transfer?

If not that changes the landscape somewhat

 

[felmani26]

I get this but if you are going to be bringing in a set piece specialist don't they need to be on the pitch more often than not? And for that player to be an out and out AM like Madison does that not mean not playing one of the front three that was by far our best attribute last season? It's all well and good everyone clambering for a top class big money AM, and as a tactical switch I get it, but playing one means sacrificing Deki because no way is Conte giving up on 3 at the back or having two ball winners in the middle.

Undoubtedly it's all about options and flexibility but I certainly think in games whereby you are facing two banks of 4 and a resolute team it's a particularly viable option off the bench.

For a predominantly counter attacking team like ours we do require that Plan B in games whereby you either introduce a player who can pass and move between the lines to open up defences or a player who can really deliver telling set pieces - particularly later on in games when naturally we should be dominant pushing for the goal and opposition camped outside their penalty box.

It's a conundrum for Conte but nevertheless, it's an area of deficiency right now.