Nicolò Zaniolo

[Ghost Hardware]

This one is very possible. Let’s watch closely. Note what I said ‘very possible’. I am not saying it is nailed on to happen. But looking good.

I understand why some are on the fence and there are maybe others I’d prefer in a ideal world. But I also have a sneaking suspicion he will be a complete revelation for us and could well become a superstar. Considering how much Conte/Paratici want him and how sharp he is looking in pre season im now really hoping we get him.

 

[Styopa]

He was very highly rated a couple of years ago. It seems like that may no longer be the case. I have total faith in Conte and Paratici though. Kulu and Bentancur were both written off at Juve and have been absolute revelations for us.

 

[CantSmileWithoutYou]

This one is very possible. Let’s watch closely. Note what I said ‘very possible’. I am not saying it is nailed on to happen. But looking good.

Love you Herc...

 

[Scot-Spur]

I understand why some are on the fence and there are maybe others I’d prefer in a ideal world. But I also have a sneaking suspicion he will be a complete revelation for us and could well become a superstar. Considering how much Conte/Paratici want him and how sharp he is looking in pre season im now really hoping we get him.

Think I read this year he had lost around 5kg and was looking to slim down and be more agile (might be a load of rubbish). Surely the right thing to do given the injuries he has had.

 

[spids]

I've seen some talking about Zaniolo as a potential RWB. I think he is perfect to be competition for Kulusevski at RWF. Big powerful runner, more tricks but less intelligence, something different.

LWF = Son / Richarlison
CF = Kane / Richarlison
RWF = Kulusevski / Zaniolo

 

[DodgyLasagne]

I've seen some talking about Zaniolo as a potential RWB. I think he is perfect to be competition for Kulusevski at RWF. Big powerful runner, more tricks but less intelligence, something different.

LWF = Son / Richarlison
CF = Kane / Richarlison
RWF = Kulusevski / Zaniolo

Begrudgingly (lol) I’ll admit he has more versatility than just RWF, he’s played the link forward in what is essentially a 3-5-2 with Tammy, he can play on the left though prefers the right wing.

There are hints of central attacking midfielder ability in his game but those solely came pre-injury, under Jose this year he was mainly a winger sometimes a 2nd forward.

By the way the RWB stuff is actually originated from an article about Mourinho at Roma, it’s not just coming straight out of the ether. That being said it feels highly unlikely to be more than an experiment.

 

[ChaoticBeaver]

I've seen some talking about Zaniolo as a potential RWB. I think he is perfect to be competition for Kulusevski at RWF. Big powerful runner, more tricks but less intelligence, something different.

LWF = Son / Richarlison
CF = Kane / Richarlison
RWF = Kulusevski / Zaniolo

 

[daryl hannah]

I will try to keep an open mind. Part of the reason for fearing this transfer is past business both pre FP and including FP’s last summer window.

I’ll say again, I think people (and especially myself) are still terrified of signing the wrong players. Count how many were worth it since 2013 transfer activity etc.

Look forward to watching him play if he joins.

 

[wpd659]

This belief that our medical/physio team is anything but elite is baffling.

Can’t agree more. The person I know within the club has told me time and time again the medical team are excellent and ultimate professionals. There job is to give a risk assessment to the manager/coach of the players fitness/injuries and risks assessment of the players. The Coach will then decide if they should play. But the medical team will be frank and honest and say they if they are going against medical advice and the players are informed of this too.

 

[Insomnia]

I will try to keep an open mind. Part of the reason for fearing this transfer is past business both pre FP and including FP’s last summer window.

I’ll say again, I think people (and especially myself) are still terrified of signing the wrong players. Count how many were worth it since 2013 transfer activity etc.

Look forward to watching him play if he joins.

Romero, Deki & Bentacur in the last 12 months?

 

[Hotspur88]

Went to post in here earlier but had a crazy day so didn't get chance.

It's nothing you haven't already heard but I had a text saying there had been a small breakthrough with Zaniolo and a potential deal was looking positive. It didn't say anything more than that so I'm not sure how close it is, I just know that there is a certain level of confidence now which wasn't there a few days back.

 

[Jiminio]

I wonder if dybala and now wjinaldum to Roma frees him up?

 

[Clockspur]

Do we have any info that I have missed about how open Zaniolo personally is to the move?

I always thought the biggest stumbling blocks with Italian players is they don’t want to leave their home land

 

[matthew.absurdum]

I think this is a very interesting take from Nathan Clark. Zaniolo is basically a physically imposing version of Gil. This somehow fits my obligatory YouTube research on Zaniolo and explains how he can be used in our team. Just he is not a Eriksen/Maddison type CAM, nor a goal scoring machine like, er, Kane and Son.

 

[chas vs dave]

Romero, Deki & Bentacur in the last 12 months?

Add in Hojbjerg from the prior season

 

[Insomnia]

Add in Hojbjerg from the prior season

Last 12 months? he joined August 2020

Ooh you cheeky fecker you changed it before I replied

 

[Rosco1984]

like others I see this as a risk and not an instant pay off signing based on his past attiyude and injury problems and his low G/A output.... But when I watch clips of him I see a quicker Moussa Dembele and who wouldn't want that.

 

[Jamturk]

Beginning to think Conte was bullied at school, he loves a big guy.

 

[DodgyLasagne]

I think this is a very interesting take from Nathan Clark. Zaniolo is basically a physically imposing version of Gil. This somehow fits my obligatory YouTube research on Zaniolo and explains how he can be used in our team. Just he is not a Eriksen/Maddison type CAM, nor a goal scoring machine like, er, Kane and Son.

Yep… high volume dribbler, noticeably left footed, draws lots of fouls, more winger than attacking midfielder though shows potential to play inside, fast and prefers to create chances through dribbling rather than traditional passing/playmaking. Both also need space to run into and are not at their best against a low block.

I will say that, though their archetype is quite similar, they have different instincts… Gil you feel is going to go outside and look to put in a cross, especially on the left; this is supplanted by him having a better cross on him than Nico. On the contrary, Zaniolo loves a shot, gets into the box more, has an innate sense for goal (this makes sense when you consider the physicality differences). Despite Nico’s meager output goal wise he definitely has a better, more powerful shot on him and has displayed good finishing composure, much more than Gil.

 

[N'Obody]

He was very highly rated a couple of years ago. It seems like that may no longer be the case. I have total faith in Conte and Paratici though. Kulu and Bentancur were both written off at Juve and have been absolute revelations for us.

Exactly this. Deki was also kind of written off at Juve before he moved to Spurs. He was also touted as one of the next big things. Fortunately for us we picked him up when everyone else thought less of him.

Here's to hoping it's the same exact scenario with Zaniolo and he turns out be a world beater just like Deki.