Nicolò Zaniolo

[Timberwolf]

Before Dybala they wanted to keep him (though this was mainly bc they hate Juve, this was before our interest was more public and it seemed to be Juve)

I have read like 200 pages on their Zaniolo thread lol. You can see for yourself (have to use google translate) but i must admit a lot of it is unrelated bollocks and poorly translated Italian sayings.

Essentially their thoughts are:
- extremely, I can't overstate this at all, extremely frustrated with his decision making and passing. Frequently called the most selfish player they have ever seen
-most agree he has big talent though and was always going to struggle a bit coming off the ACL injury
- a lot of them say it's only a matter of time until he gets injured again (probably negative moaners, but they may have a point)
-most prefer him as the wing forward in front 3, not the 2nd striker with Tammy as he was used this year
-with Dybala in most agree he is not the starter and are OK selling him
- most think he has big potential though especially pre-ACL they thought he'd be a future star
- apparently he's a bit problematic off the pitch, knocked up an opposing player's ex GF and has entourage issues

A very informative (however, a bit negative) article on Zaniolo, written by a Roma writer (need to translate here) https://www.ultimouomo.com/nicolo-zaniolo-giocatore-piu-fumoso-ultimo-uomo-awards/

Sounds like the concerns around him from Roma fans and journos are consistent with the posters who had doubts about him on here.

Happy to bring him if Conte wants him but don't think people on here were being needlessly negative. He's a talented player but has clear flaws.

 

[LeBonge79]

This is probably the best summation of the issues Roma fans have with him:

https://www.ultimouomo.com/nicolo-zaniolo-giocatore-piu-fumoso-ultimo-uomo-awards/ I 100% suggest reading the entire article.

"Physically he is bestial, he can bring a decisive tear at any moment and Roma rely heavily on him and Abraham to get back on the pitch. It is a costly and difficult game, however, in which Zaniolo shows all his flaws. A first touch that is not always very soft, an overly aggressive contact game, the exclusive use of the accident and, more than anything else, a tendency to get stuck in stubborn individual actions. He is the Zaniolo of all 2022, the one that remains the most in our eyes: the one who plays with his head down, who tries to jump one or two players in every action, who tries to bring decisive attacks even starting from midfield, without having the patience to lean on companions. At times he gave the impression that he conceived the game too individually, or too simplistic. Football as a long sequence of individual outbursts ball and chain, many useless cavalry assaults. It is the season in which he has managed the most dribbles (2.2 for 90 '), but also the one in which he has failed the most (2.1) and in which he has lost the most balls. In its most opaque moments of form, Mourinho didn't let him play, and in one of Roma's best performances of the season - in the return derby against Lazio - Zaniolo was on the bench for all ninety minutes. Without him the team seems less lazy, more inclined to dribble and seek patient solutions between the lines."

… to his ACL?? ?

 

[mil1lion]

He's absolutely playing, and then also flying back to Italy with Roma. And practicing with them on Monday.

And announced for us next Friday.

As long he's registered in time for the opener especially with Richarlison out

 

[Bjrixson]

This is probably the best summation of the issues Roma fans have with him:

https://www.ultimouomo.com/nicolo-zaniolo-giocatore-piu-fumoso-ultimo-uomo-awards/ I 100% suggest reading the entire article.

"Physically he is bestial, he can bring a decisive tear at any moment and Roma rely heavily on him and Abraham to get back on the pitch. It is a costly and difficult game, however, in which Zaniolo shows all his flaws. A first touch that is not always very soft, an overly aggressive contact game, the exclusive use of the accident and, more than anything else, a tendency to get stuck in stubborn individual actions. He is the Zaniolo of all 2022, the one that remains the most in our eyes: the one who plays with his head down, who tries to jump one or two players in every action, who tries to bring decisive attacks even starting from midfield, without having the patience to lean on companions. At times he gave the impression that he conceived the game too individually, or too simplistic. Football as a long sequence of individual outbursts ball and chain, many useless cavalry assaults. It is the season in which he has managed the most dribbles (2.2 for 90 '), but also the one in which he has failed the most (2.1) and in which he has lost the most balls. In its most opaque moments of form, Mourinho didn't let him play, and in one of Roma's best performances of the season - in the return derby against Lazio - Zaniolo was on the bench for all ninety minutes. Without him the team seems less lazy, more inclined to dribble and seek patient solutions between the lines."

Has Conte improved the majority (the ones that actually put in the effort) of our players? Have not most if not all that have spoken about Conte suggested that they are either looking forward to learning and improving or have improved?

I think it’s important to take all of the above into consideration but players can improve with the right support, guidance, environment etc and you have to remember that Conte will be aware of the negatives too but believes that this is the player he needs and after “working hard to improve” we COULD have a very exciting player for the foreseeable future!

Just my opinion of course! I see the negatives as well as the positives.

 

[DodgyLasagne]

Sounds like the concerns around him from Roma fans and journos are consistent with the posters who had doubts about him on here.

Happy to bring him if Conte wants him but don't think people on here were being needlessly negative. He's a talented player but has clear flaws.

After the whole back and forth last week I’ve realized I was probably being too harsh, so I’d rather let other’s words speak for me. I promise I wasn’t making any of it up, though - the truth is that the “Kaka post injury” comparison made in that article is actually very relevant. He has clearly lost something from before the injury.

He is an ambiguous player though. The question is if last year was just him trying to regain his confidence, getting back into the swing of professional football and getting comfortable in his body. He still has great potential but there are big question marks.

another excellent article: https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/6/27/23178230/the-nicolo-zaniolo-conundrum-revisited

 

[KingNick]

I'd say that the biggest context you can put on that report on him is that he has only just turned 23. Still so in need of coaching at that age - knowing when to hold or release / to play simple at times etc comes with experience.
Perhaps also worth noting that JM does not always have the best record of developing players in a way that they need rather than how he needs them to (full disclosure - I almost entirely blame him for the regression of Harry Winks).
I think if you harness NZ in the right way, he will be a revelation

 

[McFlash]

Hi ex GF Sara Scaperotta is immaculate

As if stalking players mums isn't creepy enough, do we really need to start stalking their exes? ??

 

[McFlash]

After the whole back and forth last week I’ve realized I was probably being too harsh, so I’d rather let other’s words speak for me. I promise I wasn’t making any of it up, though - the truth is that the “Kaka post injury” comparison made in that article is actually very relevant. He has clearly lost something from before the injury.

He is an ambiguous player though. The question is if last year was just him trying to regain his confidence, getting back into the swing of professional football and getting comfortable in his body. He still has great potential but there are big question marks.

another excellent article: https://www.chiesaditotti.com/2022/6/27/23178230/the-nicolo-zaniolo-conundrum-revisited

Got to say mate, since your initial few (slightly dramatic ?) posts, you've put a lot of good info into this thread. Some good explanations and examples, so thanks for that, it's appreciated. ?

 

[SCUMmucs]

Zaniolo’s main weakness is playing with his head down, poor decision making and vision. He’s got great physicality and dribbling, good shooting/passing technique but just doesn’t process quickly and needs a lot of time on the ball.

Which is both tantalizing and terrifying.

On the one hand: “look at the lad, he’s built like a brick shithouse and dribbles past anyone, just needs to fix the final ball and the vision” is probably Conte’s optimistic take on it, if he can iron out the flaws and unearth a Diamond in the rough.

On the other hand: how many players really do improve their vision and decision making from poor to elite? And does it fit our timeline for a 22 year old to learn those traits, considering he wouldn’t even be a starter?

He kind of reminds me of Ross Barkley before it became apparent he wasn’t going to progress.

 

[lobob8]

My son is in Israel for a four day stag do. Yesterday Tel Aviv and today Jerusalem. A couple of hours ago while visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, who should he bump into but Jose Mourinho. My son is with 3 mates - all Spurs. My son said Jose was very friendly and complimentary about Spurs and our supporters. My son asked about Zaniolo. Jose simply smiled and said very good player. Hardly itk but quite topical. My son is at the Dead Sea tomorrow and Haifia on Saturday. He said as he's now struck up a religious friendship with Jose he will seek him out again before the game.

​

What a nice guy. Man, part of me will always feel sadness that Jose didn't work out with us. Really like the guy and so glad he's found success again at Roma, a club a lot like us. Definitely not a popular opinion but always irks me a little when people keep vilifying him.

 

[Finchyid]

What a nice guy. Man, part of me will always feel sadness that Jose didn't work out with us. Really like the guy and so glad he's found success again at Roma, a club a lot like us. Definitely not a popular opinion but always irks me a little when people keep vilifying him.

Don’t disagree with that, as a person I think Jose is a decent bloke

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

What a nice guy. Man, part of me will always feel sadness that Jose didn't work out with us. Really like the guy and so glad he's found success again at Roma, a club a lot like us. Definitely not a popular opinion but always irks me a little when people keep vilifying him.

100% agree. The slack he gets from some Spurs fans is ridiculous. He is a great guy and it was sad it didn't work out with us.

 

[spids]

Zaniolo’s main weakness is playing with his head down, poor decision making and vision. He’s got great physicality and dribbling, good shooting/passing technique but just doesn’t process quickly and needs a lot of time on the ball.

Which is both tantalizing and terrifying.

On the one hand: “look at the lad, he’s built like a brick shithouse and dribbles past anyone, just needs to fix the final ball and the vision” is probably Conte’s optimistic take on it, if he can iron out the flaws and unearth a Diamond in the rough.

On the other hand: how many players really do improve their vision and decision making from poor to elite? And does it fit our timeline for a 22 year old to learn those traits, considering he wouldn’t even be a starter?

It is not a lack of ability though is it, it’s a lack of team work and selflessness. Zaniolo is technically amazing - that is the frustration. If he’s clear on the wing and Son or Kane are free in the middle for a tap in and he tries taking another defender on then he won’t play much until he learns.

 

[lobob8]

It is not a lack of ability though is it, it’s a lack of team work and selflessness. Zaniolo is technically amazing - that is the frustration. If he’s clear on the wing and Son or Kane are free in the middle for a tap in and he tries taking another defender on then he won’t play much until he learns.

Who better to learn from than Conte?

 

[Pimpa]

The reason I’m hoping we get him is unlike any manager we’ve had before we arguably have the best manager in the world when it comes to getting the very best out of players potentials. Zaniolo’s ceiling is ridiculously high and he fits our system, lets see what conte does with him.

 

[eddiev14]

Before Dybala they wanted to keep him (though this was mainly bc they hate Juve, this was before our interest was more public and it seemed to be Juve)

I have read like 200 pages on their Zaniolo thread lol. You can see for yourself (have to use google translate) but i must admit a lot of it is unrelated bollocks and poorly translated Italian sayings.

Essentially their thoughts are:
- extremely, I can't overstate this at all, extremely frustrated with his decision making and passing. Frequently called the most selfish player they have ever seen
-most agree he has big talent though and was always going to struggle a bit coming off the ACL injury
- a lot of them say it's only a matter of time until he gets injured again (probably negative moaners, but they may have a point)
-most prefer him as the wing forward in front 3, not the 2nd striker with Tammy as he was used this year
-with Dybala in most agree he is not the starter and are OK selling him
- most think he has big potential though especially pre-ACL they thought he'd be a future star
- apparently he's a bit problematic off the pitch, knocked up an opposing player's ex GF and has entourage issues

A very informative (however, a bit negative) article on Zaniolo, written by a Roma writer (need to translate here) https://www.ultimouomo.com/nicolo-zaniolo-giocatore-piu-fumoso-ultimo-uomo-awards/

Reads a lot like the Lamela thread on SC back in the day.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

My son is in Israel for a four day stag do. Yesterday Tel Aviv and today Jerusalem. A couple of hours ago while visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, who should he bump into but Jose Mourinho. My son is with 3 mates - all Spurs. My son said Jose was very friendly and complimentary about Spurs and our supporters. My son asked about Zaniolo. Jose simply smiled and said very good player. Hardly itk but quite topical. My son is at the Dead Sea tomorrow and Haifia on Saturday. He said as he's now struck up a religious friendship with Jose he will seek him out again before the game.

​

Can you also confirm if they wished for us to sign Zaniolo at the Western Wall?

 

[kursaal]

Can you also confirm if they wished for us to sign Zaniolo at the Western Wall?

With half the negative opinions on here about Zaniolo it would be appropriate to sign him at the Wailing Wall ?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I'd say that the biggest context you can put on that report on him is that he has only just turned 23. Still so in need of coaching at that age - knowing when to hold or release / to play simple at times etc comes with experience.
Perhaps also worth noting that JM does not always have the best record of developing players in a way that they need rather than how he needs them to (full disclosure - I almost entirely blame him for the regression of Harry Winks).
I think if you harness NZ in the right way, he will be a revelation

He’s 23 and missed over a year of football. I mentioned this before, but it’s not just the physical side of the game but also the mental side that needs development. He’s got the raw ability but I can think of a better analogy for him then “a diamond in the rough”. This is for me why I would prefer Paqueta but also why Conte’s opinion could sway me. If he really believes he can develop him then He becomes a very exciting prospect. Just more of a gamble.

 

[Roberts84]

Zaniolo’s main weakness is playing with his head down, poor decision making and vision. He’s got great physicality and dribbling, good shooting/passing technique but just doesn’t process quickly and needs a lot of time on the ball.

Which is both tantalizing and terrifying.

On the one hand: “look at the lad, he’s built like a brick shithouse and dribbles past anyone, just needs to fix the final ball and the vision” is probably Conte’s optimistic take on it, if he can iron out the flaws and unearth a Diamond in the rough.

On the other hand: how many players really do improve their vision and decision making from poor to elite? And does it fit our timeline for a 22 year old to learn those traits, considering he wouldn’t even be a starter?

Is this review based on YT or actually watching him in matches?