Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has criticised the attitude of star midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, after a disappointing cameo from the reported Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur target on Wednesday night, while speaking to Sky Italia.
A sparkling diamond in a treasure trove of Italian gems, Zaniolo might be seen as the future of an exciting, up-and-coming Azzurri side but that does not mean he can afford to rest on his laurels – or rely solely on his god-given technical gifts.
The former Inter Milan youngster continued his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury by coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes during Roma’s nervy victory over Hellas Verona in midweek.
But to say Zaniolo didn’t quite do himself justice against Ivan Juric’s overachieving side would be an understatement.
The 21-year-old looked half fit and, at times, unfocused with Roma defender Gianluca Mancini left fuming after Zaniolo neglected to track a Verona forward in the closing stages as the Giallorossi held on to their three points.
Fonseca, who dropped fellow starlet Justin Kluivert for a perceived attitude problem last week, has now publicly lambasted another Roma wonder-kid.
“Zaniolo must do more to help the team and he didn’t (against Hellas Verona). The players have to help the team, I think Zaniolo must understand that when he enters the pitch,” said a coach who won three league titles at Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.
“He must first work for the team. Today I didn’t like (his performance). I’m not satisfied with his attitude.”
Fonseca’s criticism feels distinctly Mourinho-esque.
And if Spurs win the race for Zaniolo’s £53 million-rated signature, via Leggo in May, the three-time Premier League winning boss would have no qualms either about calling out an apparent lack of work ethic.
Jurgen Klopp, too, demands every ounce of blood, sweat and tears from his players. Il Tempo in May suggested that Zaniolo is a target for English champions Liverpool too.
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