In a recent report, Alfredo Pedulla claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are in pole position to land AS Roma playmaker Nicolo Zaniolo. It has been revealed that Spurs are leading the race to secure the services of the Italy international.
Zaniolo’s Impressive Numbers In Italian Football
Zaniolo has put in a few decent displays for AS Roma in the final third. However, he has failed to be productive in front of the opponent’s goal as he has scored just two goals and earned three assists in 17 matches for the Italian outfit this season across various competitions.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a good run of form in Europe where he is averaging 5.3 shots, 1.0 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game in the UEFA Europa League. However, he needs to improve his link-up play in the opponent’s half, based on his pass completion rate of 72.7% in European football (stats via whoscored).
His current deal at the Italian club will expire in the summer of 2024. Thus, Tottenham could potentially land him on the cheap this winter or at the end of this campaign.
Should Tottenham Hotspur Move In For Nicolo Zaniolo?
Zaniolo can create space for himself to get a few strikes in at goal. He has got the vision to unlock the opposition defence with a killer pass in the final third and can make some dangerous runs with the ball toward the opponent’s penalty box.
At 23, Zaniolo’s best years are ahead of him which makes him a worthy target for Spurs to consider during this January transfer window. The Italian sensation is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also fill in as a secondary striker or as a right-sided wide player if his manager asks him to do so. However, he has to find a way to improve his link-up play on the attacking end of the pitch if he wants to taste success at the highest level.
We can expect Zaniolo to bring more depth to Tottenham‘s squad. He is good enough to challenge Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-min Son for a regular starting spot at the North London club. However, there are some question marks over whether he would be able to make a smooth transition to life in England. Still, the pros outweigh the cons of recruiting Zaniolo, so Spurs should consider going all out to bring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this January or at the end of this season.
