Italy coach Luciano Spalletti believes Nicolo Zaniolo can become a ‘top footballer’ but there is one thing Aston Villa’s Premier League loanee has to improve upon.
The rather niche title of ‘big-name summer signing struggling to force his way into Unai Emery’s XI’ has changed hands in recent weeks. From Youri Tielemans to Nicolo Zaniolo.
The Galatasaray loanee started the season in the Aston Villa first-team, playing week-in-week-out as Tielemans grumbled on the sidelines. But it is he who has been hardest hit hard by Tielemans’ sudden return to form, the former Leicester City ace playing his best football in a number of years.
And, with Tielemans striking up a superb understanding with Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara in Emery’s ‘box midfield’, Zaniolo has had to get comfortable with life on the bench. He’s played only 45 minutes in Villa’s last five Premier League games, and none in those successive 1-0 wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
Nicolo Zaniolo falls out of Aston Villa XI
While still only 24, concerns over the direction of Zaniolo’s travel are nothing new. He went from the bright young thing of Serie A to being farmed out on loan by Jose Mourinho at Roma, and arrived at Aston Villa after only half a season at Galatasaray.
And Spalletti, speaking to TG Poste, believes the issue is not one of quality but one of mentality.
“He’s a very strong footballer. He has many of the qualities that are needed to become a top footballer. We need to teach him to self-discipline, helping him in his profession,” the Azzurri boss explains.
“(Zaniolo) just needs to learn behaviours that will help him be better at what he does, and be disciplined. He needs to cope with the talent he has been given. He must live with his own quality, and strive every day to improve himself.”
Sent message by Italy boss
Zaniolo has been utilised as a left-sided attacking midfielder under Emery. Spalletti, speaking last month, believes the one-time Inter Milan starlet could have a future as a number nine instead, however. Though the form of Ollie Watkins means he is unlikely to occupy such a role at Aston Villa.
Villa have the option to sign Zaniolo permanently next year in a package worth around £37 million.
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