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Nicolo Zaniolo

JKendall13

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Jul 2, 2012
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He's a big lad, played all over the pitch in his first season. I wonder if he wouldn't fit best as a #9 or at least a false 9.
 

Ronwol196061

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Apr 9, 2018
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Zaniolo looks a bit of a winger and a bit of an AM but he seems to have an intelligence playing
 

fecka

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Jun 24, 2013
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To me he looks clumsy, not in control and a bit of a headless chicken. Good athlete though.
 

JKendall13

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Jul 2, 2012
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https://statsbomb.com/2019/03/taking-the-temperature-on-nicolo-zaniolo/

Good article on him. I think this is my thought as well:

"He’s not an overwhelming athlete, which wouldn’t be a major problem if he was a good to great passer, but to this point it’s hard to make that case. If you envision him moving forward as more of a conventional #10, the tunnel vision he exhibits is worrisome. If you envision him as a wide player, his conservative pass selection is slightly less of a concern but you’re still dealing with the worries regarding his athleticism.

Maybe with his size and ability to hold off opponents, there’s the slight chance that he’s able to transition into more of a striker as he gets closer to his prime years, which would change the equation and would make most of these points moot."
 

fecka

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Jun 24, 2013
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https://statsbomb.com/2019/03/taking-the-temperature-on-nicolo-zaniolo/

Good article on him. I think this is my thought as well:

"He’s not an overwhelming athlete, which wouldn’t be a major problem if he was a good to great passer, but to this point it’s hard to make that case. If you envision him moving forward as more of a conventional #10, the tunnel vision he exhibits is worrisome. If you envision him as a wide player, his conservative pass selection is slightly less of a concern but you’re still dealing with the worries regarding his athleticism.

Maybe with his size and ability to hold off opponents, there’s the slight chance that he’s able to transition into more of a striker as he gets closer to his prime years, which would change the equation and would make most of these points moot."

Whenever I watch him he reminds me of VJ.
 

arunspurs

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Aug 31, 2012
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Just because he comes from Roma?
So did Pjanic (at the time I thought we bought the wrong one)

No, not because he is from Roma. Pjanic was already a success for 3 years at Lyon , before he moved to Roma.
Both Lamela & Zaniolo were brought in direct from lower leagues (Lamela from bad Argentina league). Lamela had average first season followed by good 2nd season. Zaniolo also had a average first season (going by numbers).Both left footed & play in same position - style too looks similar (only seen Youtube)
 

Ronwol196061

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Apr 9, 2018
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No, not because he is from Roma. Pjanic was already a success for 3 years at Lyon , before he moved to Roma.
Both Lamela & Zaniolo were brought in direct from Argentina league. Lamela had average first season followed by good 2nd season. Zaniolo also had a average first season (going by numbers).Both left footed & play in same position - style too looks similar (only seen Youtube)
Zaniolo looks like he can think on his feet as the play is happening. While Lamela presses really well and has fine touches he seemed to run into too many players and often lost the ball
 

arunspurs

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Aug 31, 2012
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Zaniolo looks like he can think on his feet as the play is happening. While Lamela presses really well and has fine touches he seemed to run into too many players and often lost the ball

Well, unfortunately, not many talked about this before he was signed. Before signing him from Roma, everything was rosy like you say for Zaniolo now. IMO , 1 season at Italian serie A is not enough to judge a player.
 

SargeantMeatCurtains

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Jan 5, 2013
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Zaniolo looks like he can think on his feet as the play is happening. While Lamela presses really well and has fine touches he seemed to run into too many players and often lost the ball
Ron, I respect your opinion above nearly everybody on this forum, I love your posts (big fan) and I appreciate the fact you have extensive football knowledge so I’m certain you’ve watched Zaniolo live a number of times (maybe in person too?) and you are not just simply relying on YouTube compilations to make your judgement.

Unfortunately I only have a basic understanding of Zaniolo so I have to rely on YouTube and I’ve got to tell you, Lamela’s highlight reel is a lot, lot better than Zaniolo’s

Can you believe that?
 

Ronwol196061

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Apr 9, 2018
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Just read that article, fair enough with it.
From what I saw of him he looked very good in his decisions
But the article holds a good balanced view if Zaniolo
 

OPModric

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May 10, 2010
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No, not because he is from Roma. Pjanic was already a success for 3 years at Lyon , before he moved to Roma.
Both Lamela & Zaniolo were brought in direct from lower leagues (Lamela from bad Argentina league). Lamela had average first season followed by good 2nd season. Zaniolo also had a average first season (going by numbers).Both left footed & play in same position - style too looks similar (only seen Youtube)

Zaniolo arrived from Inter B-team, and has been a regular in the starting eleven and made his debut in the national side. Is that a average season???

I don't think he is good enough for us right now but he certainly got potential. I think he will end up being a box-to-box midfielder.
 

Ronwol196061

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Apr 9, 2018
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Ron, I respect your opinion above nearly everybody on this forum, I love your posts (big fan) and I appreciate the fact you have extensive football knowledge so I’m certain you’ve watched Zaniolo live a number of times (maybe in person too?) and you are not just simply relying on YouTube compilations to make your judgement.

Unfortunately I only have a basic understanding of Zaniolo so I have to rely on YouTube and I’ve got to tell you, Lamela’s highlight reel is a lot, lot better than Zaniolo’s

Can you believe that?
Fair enough yes it was just the You Tube in this case. I saw some intelligence in his play.
I have to tell you that when we bought Lamela he then went of to Toronto to play for Roma. The way he played wasn't from the high lite reels if him, he was very static but Pjanic was brilliant I thought we bought the wrong player.
I just thought if we got Ceballos and Zaniolo then one or both might work out. Lo Celso looked mediocre in the Copa
 

SargeantMeatCurtains

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Jan 5, 2013
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For me he has been underwhelming attacking wise
I think that’s harsh Ron. I think he adds fluidity to our attack. I feel the team is less fluid when he’s not in the team. Players like Eriksen, Moura and Dele just don’t have the fluidity that he brings.

Lamela is also very good at transitioning defence to attack. The team as a whole is a lot more fluid when he’s in it.

He brings a certain energy to the team and I think a big part of that is a particular fluid Argentinians are a fan of. It’s called Mate. If you’re not sure what it is, I suggest you look it up. It’s an interesting fluid indeed. But enough about fluids.

I think someone like Lo Celso will add to the fluidity Lamela brings to the team (he’s another player who drinks that particular Argentine fluid).

Lamela is going to have a big season. I can feel it in my fluids.
 
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