Nicolò Zaniolo

[chrisd2k]

So do we have a new ITK now? Thats always good if so.

Again nobody can argue the line "If Conte wants him" but surely people can still debate? Two ACL's and the fact he has an allergy to passing are definite red flags.

Does feel slightly deflating as I see a real need for a creative passer in this side, and yes I know with Conte its the system thats supposed to create, but sometimes you just need that magic. That is of course if this signing ends that possibility

 

[bigpalacios]

Not at all. You seem to be the one on the wind up. How can you guarantee that Conte does not see his front three as I suggested? Or are you in this thread just to pretend you know stuff without sharing your thoughts?

Go look at the original post

 

[spids]

Zaniolo can play in the midfield and attacking midfield

I know he can. HE can also play as RWF. And all evidence suggests we will play 3-4-3. So are you suggesting Conte will play 3-5-2 instead of 3-4-3?

 

[spids]

Go look at the original post

I am looking at the post of mine that you quoted. I had already admitted my mistake and changed the post before you quoted it.

 

[Gspurs11]

If this gives us the money to go big on a CB, then I'm all for it, but that obviously remains to be seen. Was hoping for someone with more output but if Conte thinks he can get him firing then great. I can't see Conte standing for the 'selfishness' people have mentioned in this thread.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

If it's a loan with option does that mean we could still be in for another AM? or is that just wishful thinking?

Not out of realms of possibility I don’t think.

I think there is every chance depending on outgoings we could end up with 9/10 signings, FP&AC did the same at Juve in their first summer overhaul together, they will sign as much quality as they possibly can with the budget available within the plan.

But if we signed Zaniolo I’d argue we don’t really need another AM unless he’s going to only play RWF and we will target someone else who can also cover ACM/CAM.

Lets see how it all pans out.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

I sent a PM to the mods a few weeks ago with some ITK that we were interested in Zaniolo. I wasnt 100% sure how reliable it was but its interesting to see links now emerging.

He fits in with the recent cryptic (Latin text / player from Rome).

 

[bigpalacios]

I am looking at the post of mine that you quoted. I had already admitted my mistake and changed the post before you quoted it.

Still as Son as RWF. Whatever chill out and smoke some opium you stress villian.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Seems like my original hypothesis was correct. A punt who will replace Gil in the squad and isn't related to the CAM imo.

Don’t see that tbh as Zaniolo’s best and natural position is as a AMC, he can also play CM and RW. Bringing him in primarily as a winger doesn’t really make sense.

 

[DodgyLasagne]

I just wish we'd give Gil a chance instead of this guy tbh.

What exactly was the point of that transfer if we're immediately recruiting over him in 12 months?

 

[hughy]

Never seen much of him, but if he doesn't score or create goals what's the point in having him? We already have 4 midfielders better than him who don't create or score many goals.

 

[djhotspur]

Not sure you can quite compare Zaniolo tearing it up in Serie A for one of the best Italian sides to a 16 yr old who made 4 fleeting appearances for Crystal Palace ?

The only thing he's tearing up are his ACLs

 

[LeBonge79]

Literally what I have been saying, he is Moura....

Well with Moura moving to RWB we need a replacement for him ?

 

[Now it's Spursonal]

Not sure you can quite compare Zaniolo tearing it up in Serie A for one of the best Italian sides to a 16 yr old who made 4 fleeting appearances for Crystal Palace ?

It was an exaggerated point tbf, but I stand behind the idea.

Replace John Bostock with Dele Alli and it’ll be more accurate, although Zaniolo never once came close to Dele’s peak.

 

[Ben1]

Some of the comments about this guy smack of the 'he's not a mega expensive player that we can spunk £100m on, therefore he's shit and I don't want him", much like a lot of the comments on Lenglet!

Or people just don't rate a player.

 

[Wig]

If it’s only a loan with an option to buy, then it’s an absolute no brainer.

Even better if it helps us shift Ndombele.

A Zaniolo and Ndombele loan swap suits everyone involved tbh.

Exactly this... nothing to lose with a loan with option (NOT obligation). Like Gedson Fernandes, try him out for a season to see if he can contribute at Spurs, if not then just send him back.

And if we can move on Ndombele in the same deal that's just the cherry on the cake, and a fresh start for both players.

 

[paige09]

Loan to Buy with no risk
NDombele the other way
Money for Maddison
Money for Bastoni

Would be impressive. Especially in a World Cup year with 5 subs and 4 fronts.

 

[AssaTM]

Love that I just read a comment saying he looks as slow as a cart horse when one of his strengths even post ACL's is his agility... These are the type of comments we all laugh about on other teams' message boards - Embarrasing.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

It seems Conte's already proven ability to improve players is being widely overlooked. There's also something else that i've not seen mentioned and this is concerning players we sign in general.

He said "Usually you have to buy players to reinforce your team, but if you send away on loan players who you bought in the last two or three years it means something went wrong in the past"

Earlier and not long after he arrived (and I paraphrase here) he said something along the lines of we need to be signing the right players to fit what the club require in order to improve where as before we would sign players who may have had good reputations but might not fit how we want to play. See above for the result of that.

I'm looking forward to the coming season. Not every player will hit the ground running and not every player will be a roaring success, but it's a process, it ain't going to all happen overnight. Bring it on.

 

[Trix]

First off, I hope Zaniolo does get sold because Inter owns a 15% sell-on fee. Would be a small win after a dismal transfer window so far... (and perhaps you'll then stop trying to take our Italian players...)

But Zaniolo is one of the dumbest, most selfish players in Serie A. He constantly dives and looks for the foul. When he doesn't get the call, he gets frustrated and gets himself booked shortly after. Again, he has more yellow & red cards than goalscoring contributions in Serie A. He's already been called out by outside managers like Fabio Capello and Roberto Mancini for being selfish and not playing with others (even dropped from Italy national team).

This perfectly encapsulates who Zaniolo is as a player:



Instead of passing, he tried to cut inside and beat Koulibaly. Rinse and repeat the entire season - he seemed allergic to passing. It's actually amazing that Roma played good football last year (3rd highest xG behind Inter and Atalanta) because Zaniolo was a black hole in the offensive phase. Players like Pellegrini & Abraham grew visibly frustrated with Zaniolo because he tries to take on defenders by himself and refuses to pass.

Fwiw I hope we end up doing a straight swap with NDombele and Inter don't see a penny of any transfer fee. I've been in and around football people for many years now and your lot are by far the worst as far as dicking people around with transfers is concerned, and I say that fully aware that Levy is our chairman.