Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti has expressed apprehension regarding the circumstances surrounding Nicolo Zaniolo’s tenure at Aston Villa, prompting direct communication with the forward in anticipation of the forthcoming European Championship.
Zaniolo, aged 24, has encountered challenges in adapting to the rigors of the Premier League following his loan move from Galatasaray last summer, failing to sufficiently impress coach Unai Emery. Despite an initial period of consistent appearances, his participation has dwindled in recent months.
Since early November, Zaniolo has only started once in the Premier League, a match against Bournemouth where he was substituted at halftime. Subsequently, he has been confined to the substitutes’ bench or fleeting cameo roles in the latter stages of matches.
Recent reports in today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport reveal Spalletti’s proactive intervention, reaching out to Zaniolo to ascertain the reasons behind his limited involvement at Aston Villa. Spalletti’s mounting concern underscores the significance of Zaniolo’s situation ahead of the impending European Championship.
Zaniolo harbors ambitions of showcasing his prowess with Aston Villa in the ensuing months, seeking to secure a place within the national team roster and contribute to their title defense.
Upon the conclusion of his loan spell, Zaniolo is slated to return to Galatasaray with aspirations of securing a move back to Serie A. Potential destinations include Milan, Napoli, and Fiorentina.