Italy CT Roberto Mancini has claimed Roma starlet Nicolò Zaniolo ‘must find his role’ but insisted he has what it takes to ‘become an extraordinary player’.
The youngster is recovering from an ACL injury, initially racing against the clock to get into Mancini’s Italy squad for Euro 2020.
With the championship postponed until next summer, Mancini can have the 20-year-old back at his disposal with additional experience from another Serie A season.
Italy CT Roberto Mancini has claimed Roma starlet Nicolò Zaniolo ‘must find his role’ but insisted he has what it takes to ‘become an extraordinary player’.
The youngster is recovering from an ACL injury, initially racing against the clock to get into Mancini’s Italy squad for Euro 2020.
With the championship postponed until next summer, Mancini can have the 20-year-old back at his disposal with additional experience from another Serie A season.
“Zaniolo is a young boy and you don’t have to put all the responsibilities on him,” Mancini told Roma TV. “He has been playing in Serie A for a short time, he must accumulate experience, find his role, which I still haven’t found.
“He’s a player that can play in two or three roles. That’s not a disadvantage, indeed it can be an advantage.
“He’s one of those young players who with another year will be able to improve and recover from injury.
“He’s a physically strong player, technically very gifted, he has a great left foot. I think he can become an extraordinary player if he continues to be serious, train seriously, to lead an athlete’s life.”
Zaniolo, capped five times by Italy so far, recently stepped up his recovery and continues to make progress ahead of the resumption.