Nicolò Zaniolo is an Italian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Serie A club Roma and the Italy national team.
In June 2018, it was reported that Zaniolo and Davide Santon had joined Roma as a part of the deal moving Radja Nainggolan to Inter. Zaniolo completed his medical on 25 June, and signed a five-year contract with the club, for a fee of €4.5 million plus 15% resell revenue.
Zaniolo missed the entire 2020–21 season due to another anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in September 2020 over the international break. He returned to the pitch in July 2021 during pre-season, under newly appointed coach José Mourinho.
Zaniolo scored his first goal since his return from his second knee injury in the 3–0 win over Trabzonspor in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. On 25 May 2022, he scored the only goal as Roma beat Feyenoord in the final to win the Europa Conference League.
How good is Nicolo Zaniolo?
Zaniolo is excessively talented. He’s been on the radar since he was 19, when Inter Milan shipped him to Roma as part of their deal for Radja Nainggolan.
He’s still only 23, with a good deal of potential still present as he develops into his prime. Zaniolo is a tall, strong, and fast player, who is also a good dribbler.
A versatile player, due to his creativity, technique, work rate, energy, and physicality, he can operate in several midfield positions, and has been used as an attacking midfielder or “trequartista,” as an offensive-minded central midfielder or “mezzala,” as a box-to-box midfielder, and even as a deep-lying playmaker.
He can even play out on the flanks, due to his goalscoring abilities, ability to create chances for teammates, the breadth he provides, and the attacking threat he poses with his striking ability from a distance and penchant for making late runs.
A talented player, he is considered one of Italy’s and Europe’s most promising young prospects.
How many goals does Nicolo Zaniolo have?
Nicolò Zaniolo scored a total of 1 goal so far this season in the league, which places them at 8th in the Roma squad’s Top Scorers list.