CM: Zaniolo hoping for a call from Milan – the position of Maldini and Massara

By Oliver Fisher -

Nicolo Zaniolo is constantly thinking about a potential return to Italy and AC Milan could well be an option, according to a report.

A report from Calciomercato.com begins by confirming that Italy boss Roberto Mancini has included Zaniolo among the 26 players called-up for the Nations League finals next month, which provides an opportunity for him to show his ability again.

Zaniolo’s time with Roma ended in a stormy way and his spell at Galatasaray has not started in the best way after his red card and a general lack of cohesion with his team-mates, despite the fact he has three goals in nine games.

The 23-year-old is thinking of returning to Serie A and his first choice would be Milan who tried for him in January, but at present the Rossoneri seem rather cold on the possibility of attempting a new assault in the summer.

Instead, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are oriented towards other names to reinforce the right wing. Another idea for Zaniolo’s future could be Juventus, but they have not come forward either.

His future remains a big puzzle therefore, and the opportunity to return to play for his country could also serve to relaunch himself in view of the summer.

Tags AC Milan Nicolo Zaniolo

16 Comments

  1. As written before, Zaniolo shot himself in the foot by signing a contract with such a high release clause. Who is gonna pay €35 mio or so ? Why would Galatasaray let him go after only 6 months ?

  2. It would be much easier if he waits 6 months instead of moving away from Roma which is so unlikely for anyone now willing to spend 35M for him.

      1. Then he has to man up and endure it instead of moving away which like i said almost no one willing to spend that much for him now if moving to another club in italy is his original idea.

        1. It’s not just him that’s affected, but his whole family. And of course Roma played part on his move abroad. As it’s a lot more convenient to sell him outside Italy. Why would Roma want to sell him to a direct rival, such as let’s say, Milan? And with smaller fee on top of that.

    1. Maignan
      Calabria – Thiaw – Tomori – Theo
      Milinkovic-Savic – Tonali
      Zaniolo – Kamada – Leao
      Scamacca

      Oh god it is indeed nice to dream

  3. Looking at his stats I don’t think he will be an upgrade. I liked him before his knee injury. After that he hasn’t done much more than miss lots of opportunities.

  4. We could have had Zaniolo at a cut price fee had Ownership given the funds to Maldini in January – but they refused. Doesn’t make much sense to go for him now at 35M when we could have had him at half the price a few months ago. But according to some it’s Maldini’s fault?? Lol.

  5. Maldini please don’t make mistakes for us the Acmilan fans is better you sign zaniolo for us than Loftus cheek we don’t need him please Give us Milan fans what we want other wise u will loose more Milan fans.

  6. It is not evident to me that Zaniolo is that keen to return. His father was credited as saying Nico is content in Turkey and that the main reason for his signing was Champions League next season.

    The rest of the report seems pure speculation based on the assumption that he wants to return to Italy.

    If Zaniolo is not fitting in, then the release clause will not be relevant and a small capital gain is all Galatasaray will be after. There is no point holding unhappy players to contracts.

    It is otherwise extremely frustrating. Zaniolo should have been signed in January. His size, physicality, technical ability and creativity is exactly what we need in the 10 role.

    The mistake analysis of Zaniolo makes is to compare his returns to that of Diaz or even CDK. By extension the error made about CDK is to assume that by scoring a header ‘here’ and a tap-in ‘there’ that CDK would be any more likely to become the player we want him to be.

    The gap for Zaniolo to realise the potential, that would see him own the 10 shirt for most of the next decade at Milan, can be filled with the confidence required to finish. That’s because his midfield game is solid, particularly having had defence drilled into him by Mourinho.

    It’s not the same story for CDK. He faces the additional complication of developing a midfield game. He is lost as an AM and, according to the heat maps, is essentially playing AM as a false 9.

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