Nicolò Zaniolo

[worcestersauce]

Does him playing mean something isn't? I don't think it makes any difference at all.

No, I didn't say it did it's just not a given as the reverse would have been if he hadn't been in the squad.
I think you are seeing disagreement where there is none just additional observations.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

When he was breaking through he was thought as are all Italian proteges are to be heir to Totti - for a number of reasons largely injuries that hasn't happened. He seems to play now in that sort of hybrid wide man position which is effectively an old fashioned inside forward much like Kulusevski and incidentally Maddison in the second half of last season who stats were both comparable. Zaniolo seems to have a slightly different skill set in that he is more of a ball carrier than the other two but his goal record doesn't seem to compare at least certainly not last season

Like a lot of others I am not sure about him , I think Maddison would fill a lot more holes in the squad but he would cost a bit more and make decisions for Conte a site harder. Seems to me that despite the rumours its a long way from being close as I don't see why he would have played yesterday otherwise but we shall see

 

[CockOnBall]

I wasn’t impressed with him last night but then I wasn’t impressed with several of our own players. So difficult to judge any player based on that game. No idea how hot/humid it was but the shirts weighed more than the players did by the end of the game.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Sorry, but that wasn't a penalty. He felt hands on his back and dived forwards.

I’ve seen them given

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

Well, him starting threw a spanner in the works didn't it. I've no idea where we stand on this now but my guess (and it is a guess) is that Paqueta is a shade more likely than it was. Could still go either way obviously.

I'm clinging to some hope it was just Mourinho being Mourinho.

Feels like he could see it as an insult having to bench a player because the opposition want to buy them.

 

[oobaties]

The only thing worse than judging a player on his YouTube clips, is judging him on one pre-season friendly.

 

[mil1lion]

The only thing worse than judging a player on his YouTube clips, is judging him on one pre-season friendly.

It's a bit like the people who seem to think they know how our season will pan out because we lost a friendly in Israel

 

[Pebble Dash]

The only thing worse than judging a player on his YouTube clips, is judging him on one pre-season friendly.

or we look at our team who once again looked toothless against a team with a low block and think would Zaniolo help us unlock it? Nope

Whereas if we had someone like Pacqueta or preferably Maddison, a player who can play both play quick passes and more importantly shoot from range then I’m sure we would get something from games like this.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

or we look at our team who once again looked toothless against a team with a low block and think would Zaniolo help us unlock it? Nope

Whereas if we had someone like Pacqueta or preferably Maddison, a player who can play both play quick passes and more importantly shoot from range then I’m sure we would get something from games like this.

The number of times we've struggled to get anything from 'games like this' with players like Eriksen or whoever suggests this line of reasoning is somewhat flawed.

 

[JCRD]

Zaniolo reminds me of Kulu - which is no bad thing but not sure Zaniolo is what we need. Still much rather Maddison but that seems to be dead.

I wouldnt mind putting Kulu as that creative player rather than on the right given we have Richarlison now. Perhaps that could work and we can then bring in another wide forward rather than the creative midfielder.

We need someone with a bit of guile and intelligence, not sure that Zaniolo provides that.

 

[Yiddo1982]

The number of times we've struggled to get anything from 'games like this' with players like Eriksen or whoever suggests this line of reasoning is somwehat flawed.

True, but on the other side, Eriksen won us plenty of points against teams deploying the low block. Swings and roundabouts

 

[TheChosenOne]

Obviously has to pass the Romero test first. Make it out in one piece and we make our move.

Was close...

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

True, but on the other side, Eriksen won us plenty of points against teams deploying the low block. Swings and roundabouts

You play 100 games against teams like that you will fail to win a certain number of them, regardless of the type of player in the team. Yesterday was one of those times.

 

[Yiddo1982]

You play 100 games against teams like that you will fail to win a certain number of them, regardless of the type of player in the team. Yesterday was one of those times.

Absolutely. But the number would be lower. Whoever has the lowest numbers wins the most trophies.

 

[JacoZA]

If Zaniolo is the answer, we need a new question.

Alternatively, if Zaniolo feels like the wrong answer (to us plebs), perhaps we’re asking the wrong question.

 

[N'Obody]

or we look at our team who once again looked toothless against a team with a low block and think would Zaniolo help us unlock it? Nope

Whereas if we had someone like Pacqueta or preferably Maddison, a player who can play both play quick passes and more importantly shoot from range then I’m sure we would get something from games like this.

I agree to an extent. The main issue I find is, people need to realise you can't always beat a low block. It's a tactic and style for a reason because it gets results. Mourinho made a name for himself and a successful career doing it.

It almost sounds a bit disrespectful to teams who do employ a low block because it is effective and it works. Yes it can be seen as anti football. But that's exactly what it is, to stop the opposition playing football to get a result. Its not pretty but it works.

We aren't always going to be able to beat a low block, doesn't matter if we have a Maddison, pacqueta or Zaniolo. We need better character and mentality of players to step up in these games to get the result however possible, someone or anyone to not be afraid to run and overload and overcommit the opposition defenders into making fouls or giving penalties away. This is where Conte will earn his money.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Absolutely. But the number would’ve lower. Whoever has the lowest numbers wins the most trophies.

The number probably already is lower. And we won fuck all when the numbers would have been lower with an Eriksen type so we're back where we started aren't we.

Look, i'd like that type of player too but to claim we would have won if we had one just isn't right. It isn't. There is no 'on the other hand', i'm talking about that claim specifically. Saying "but we won games with" has nothing to do with it, nobody is saying we didn't, we obviously did, just as we've won games without.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

or we look at our team who once again looked toothless against a team with a low block and think would Zaniolo help us unlock it? Nope

Whereas if we had someone like Pacqueta or preferably Maddison, a player who can play both play quick passes and more importantly shoot from range then I’m sure we would get something from games like this.

Just chucking a different style of player onto the pitch isn't enough. The whole team needs to train for a plan B to get the best out of that player. There's no evidence that we're doing that yet.

 

[spids]

I think it comes down to individual fans' stylistic preference. Conte's system simply will not fully appeal to those wanting a traditional number 10 play maker (like Eriksen or Maddison).

 

[Scot-Spur]

The number of times we've struggled to get anything from 'games like this' with players like Eriksen or whoever suggests this line of reasoning is somwehat flawed.

This, it is so hard to breakdown team who sit with two banks of 5! Just no space for passes between the lines. Maddison, Eriksen or whoever don’t mean you will get a breakthrough.