Aston Villa have used Nicolo Zaniolo as a midfielder since his arrival in the Premier League but Italy boss Luciano Spalletti believes the Galatasaray loanee can be more than effective in a new role.
For the most part, the Azzurri international has been fielded in a deeper position since joining forces with Unai Emery in the Midlands.
Nicolo Zaniolo, who joined from Galatasaray in a deal which could become permanent to the tune of £37 million, has been fielded mostly in a left-sided, attacking midfield role in Aston Villa’s claret-and-blue kit.
Spalletti, however, believes that Zaniolo has the skillset to thrive in a different role.
“For me, Zaniolo can be a centre-forward,” muses the former Roma, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg boss, who guided Napoli to the Scudetto last term.
“He could have an important future (as a striker).”
Spalletti is not alone in thinking that Zaniolo’s future lies up top.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho utilised the one-time Inter starlet as a number nine during the back end of 2021/22, Zaniolo scoring the only goal of the game in the inaugural Europa Conference League final victory over Feyenoord.
‘Incredible potential’
“Zaniolo has incredible potential,” Roma legend Zgibniew Boniek said at the time. “If you ask people what his position is, then everyone will give you a different response. In my view, he is a classic number nine. He can protect the ball, has physical strength, turns defenders well, is good in the air and can shoot.
“I always say when I see Vlahovic play that Zaniolo could do just as well. Perhaps even better, because he also has this strong physicality. He really is a great player.”
Zaniolo is yet to score a goal or provide an assist for Aston Villa, showing promise, yes, but arguably not enough to justify a potential £37 million price-tag.
What’s more, with Ollie Watkins keeping the number nine role under lock and key, opportunities through the middle are not likely to come around all too often for Zaniolo.
