An ordinary kid with extraordinary
potential, Nicolo Zaniolo was called
into the senior national squad before
he had even made his debut for Roma.
And when his club did pick him, his first
game was away to Real Madrid in the
Champions League.
Yet this is a teenager whose mother,
Francesca, still makes his breakfast every
morning and then drives him to training
before picking him up again afterwards.
Since making the breakthrough for
Roma the left-footer has not looked back
and has become a permanent fixture in
the team, catching the eye of envious
clubs all round Europe, from Chelsea
and Manchester City to Juventus andBayern Munich.
His passing range is outstanding, while
his two goals in a Champions League
knockout game against Porto illustrate
his eye for a chance. And as comfortable
in a No10 role as he is as a lone striker
or central midfielder, his supreme
versatility only adds to the interest
and his transfer value.
The comparisons with Roma legend
Francesco Totti are inevitable and Totti
is the man now charged with trying
to ensure the youngster signs a new
contract and stays to help revive the
fortunes of the club.
Signed from Internazionale last
summer, Roma’s fans have quickly taken
the £3.9million buy to their hearts.
The supporters crave a new long-term
idol in an era in which they hope to leave
the Stadio Olimpico and move into a
brand new super stadium that has been
given planning go-ahead.
And the player’s protective father, Igor,who was once himself a striker in Serie B
with Reggina, says he would love his son
to stay.
“Are we renewing with Roma? Yes,
exactly,” he said recently. “Here, Nicolo is
well, he is at a great club and he is happy
with the club and his team-mates. All the
experienced players like Daniele De Rossi
and Edin Dzeko are helping him to grow.
“Given the kinds of figures circulating,
I don’t think many teams would be able
to sign him. In Italy, I think, only Juventus.
“We have no preference and we will
see in the summer. For now, Nicolo’s
priorities are the Serie A season and thenthe European Under-21 Championship.”
The club with the biggest regret are
Fiorentina, who let the youngster go in
the summer of 2016 because they didn’t
think he was tall enough.
After being released by a club he had
been with since the age of nine, Zaniolo
considered quitting the game and says
he felt “they treated me badly”.
Instead, he flourished on joining Virtus
Entella in Serie B and their sporting
director Matteo Superbi says he knew
straight away that the club had struck
gold, recalling: “He has such quality
and he is not a player who suffers(Benfica & Por)
The 19-year-old
playmaker has
been a revelation
this season and
is now under
contract until
2023 with a
reported £105m
buyout clause.
All of which will
be painfully felt
at Porto, who
released him at 15
because they felt
he was too slight.(RB Leipzig & Ger)
The striker has
reportedly agreed
terms to join
Bayern Munich
in the summer,
although no official
bid has been
made. Now aged
23, he holds
the records for
being the youngest
player to reach
100 and 150
Bundesliga
appearances.JOAO FELIX TIMO WERNER
NICOLO ZANIOLO
(Roma & Ita)MOST WANTED Prime-time youngsters
“My dad says you can
reach the top quickly,
but you can fall to
the bottom even
more quickly”