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Nicolo Zaniolo

JUSTINSIGNAL

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2008
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He seems quite similar to Dele in terms of his positioning. I did remember reading a scouting report on him about a year where he was labelled the 'Italian Steven Gerrard' and seems able to play CM, AM and ST. I suppose this is what appeals to Poch but it would be a shame if we forfeited the chance to sign Lo Celso as he seems much more suited to make a smooth transition to our team. I'm just not sure the switch from Italian football to the prem will be as easy for a 20 year old who has only played in Serie A.
 
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Deleted member 27995

Ceballos backup option?
If it has any truth and the deal for Ceballos is proving hard to do because of what we want compared to what the player or Madrid want then maybe this is a fallback option, based on just what others have expressed over both players this seems like a slight step down in talent?

Fuck it's busy at the moment for both possible outs and in's.
 

JKendall13

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Jul 2, 2012
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I think he’d fill the role of versatile forward who can backup Kane, play on the wing, or play as a second striker.
 

SpartanSpur

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Jan 27, 2011
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Like Bruno Fernandes, I just don't get a great vibe from this guy. He shows some flashes of talent for sure, but something is lacking for me.

Lo Celso looks made for Poch but this guy I'm not sure. Italian league imports worry me too, not an amazing success rate.

The links have been there all summer so it's likely there's some smoke behind it. Italian clubs aren't afraid of a swap deal either.
 

synththfc

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2017
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Like Bruno Fernandes, I just don't get a great vibe from this guy. He shows some flashes of talent for sure, but something is lacking for me.

Lo Celso looks made for Poch but this guy I'm not sure. Italian league imports worry me too, not an amazing success rate.

The links have been there all summer so it's likely there's some smoke behind it. Italian clubs aren't afraid of a swap deal either.

Difference with him and Bruno is this guy is 20 years old. A lot of time for him to develop, and I wouldn't want him developing under any other manager than Poch.
 

nedley

John Duncan's Love Child
Jul 28, 2006
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You only need to look at his CL performances to see he's a young player with huge potential.

I can see why we are keen.
 

TEESSIDE1

Married, new job and Spurs on the up!
Jul 3, 2006
15,089
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You only need to look at his CL performances to see he's a young player with huge potential.

I can see why we are keen.

He has a very good range of passing and some nice skill but with Italian football being like Barclays over 50s walking football... you’ll get crunched in the EPL when you try to do your party tricks... you just don’t get the time and space to do them.
 
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Primativ

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Aug 9, 2017
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He has a very good range of passing and some nice skill but with Italian football being like Barclays over 50s walking football... you’ll get crunched in the EPL when you try to do your party tricks... you just don’t get the time and space to do them.


Was having a read of redcafe as there is a small thread on him, and a couple of posters think he's a player of huge potential and would be a very good signing.

One poster said he looked really good in the CL for Roma last season which would make your point about the level of Italian football not necessarily relevant.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
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Like Bruno Fernandes, I just don't get a great vibe from this guy. He shows some flashes of talent for sure, but something is lacking for me.

Lo Celso looks made for Poch but this guy I'm not sure. Italian league imports worry me too, not an amazing success rate.

The links have been there all summer so it's likely there's some smoke behind it. Italian clubs aren't afraid of a swap deal either.
I agree. His attributes are his size and average technical ability. He's lacking a bit in pace and footballing intelligence; seems very close to a Dele but with more strength. Would like someone with a bit more of a footballing brain.
 

felmani26

SC Supporter
Jan 1, 2008
24,359
43,015
What do Roma fans make of him potentially leaving as that will be telling.

Ultimately he does look like a useful utility player who's also physical enough to cope with the demands of the Premier League but in no way shape or form should this be an 'instead of' player for Lo Celso.
 

dagraham

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Sep 20, 2005
19,115
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Sounds a bit like Lamela, but younger and (hopefully) without the injury problems.

I know this won’t be popular, but that doesn’t inspire confidence to me. Despite being a decent player, I still don’t think Lamela is a good fit for the PL.
 

JKendall13

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Jul 2, 2012
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Sounds a bit like Lamela, but younger and (hopefully) without the injury problems.

Hm, I don’t think they are they are all that similar besides being from Roma. Zaniolo is 6’3 and has a long striding smooth gait. I saw somewhere compare it to Kaka, only in regards to size and the way they both sort float while running, not skill level. Lamela is all high energy, buzzing around 100mph.

I think Zaniolo’s future could be as a CF, considering his size.
 

Palmer Stoat

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
103
409
I haven't really watched him at all. I read this though, he does sound like a poch type player.

https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/nicolo-zaniolo-roma-tactical-analysis

Here are a couple more pieces on NZ:

https://statsbomb.com/2019/03/taking-the-temperature-on-nicolo-zaniolo/

https://saturdaysoncouch.wordpress....olo-zaniolo-as-a-superstar-midfield-prospect/

The glass-half-fullers can squint a little and allow for a shitload of (hopefully) natural improvement given his age. The glass-half-emptiers can explode into rage mode or lapse into deep depression.
 

TheAmerican

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2012
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18,760
Sounds a bit like Lamela, but younger and (hopefully) without the injury problems.
It might be harsh on him to say, but a possible swap with Lamela would be ideal for all sides. He'd get to go back to a club where he was adored and play in a less physical league (maybe helping with his injury issues).
 

TEESSIDE1

Married, new job and Spurs on the up!
Jul 3, 2006
15,089
18,780
Zaniolo looks like a cross between Sander Berge and Peter Crouch... some decent highlights but I don’t see anything that makes me think wow. We need ready made match winners not more may be’s. Clarke - future talent, Sessegnon - all the ingredients to become a quality player. Zaniolo - meh, rather go for Lozano.
 
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