Nicolò Zaniolo’s performance in the current Premier League season has been lackluster, with only one goal scored in 19 appearances. In contrast to his underwhelming statistics, several other Italian players in similar positions have demonstrated more prolific form. Consequently, Zaniolo faces the possibility of exclusion from the Italian national team, jeopardizing his participation in Euro 2024.
Criticism towards Zaniolo escalated following Aston Villa’s 4-0 defeat against Tottenham, with supporters expressing dissatisfaction regarding his demeanor and body language leading up to Spurs’ third goal. This scrutiny, as underscored by Sport Mediaset, heightens the risk of exclusion from Luciano Spalletti’s squad for the upcoming European Championship.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Zaniolo’s solitary goal in the Premier League pales in comparison to the achievements of his counterparts. Notably, Federico Chiesa of Juventus has managed seven goals and two assists in 23 Serie A appearances, while Riccardo Orsolini from Bologna boasts nine goals in 24 league matches.
Additionally, Matteo Politano has recorded six goals and six assists in 27 outings for Napoli, and Vincenzo Grifo of Freiburg has surpassed Zaniolo’s attacking output with seven goals and seven assists in 23 Bundesliga fixtures.
Moreover, contributions from attacking midfielders such as Andrea Colpani from Monza and Lorenzo Pellegrini of Roma further highlight Zaniolo’s comparative shortcomings.
Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Spalletti has engaged in discussions with Zaniolo regarding his role within the Aston Villa setup, particularly considering his diminished prominence under manager Unai Emery.
Despite the recent injury setback to Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi, Zaniolo’s prospects for inclusion in the Italian squad for Euro 2024 appear diminished. He faces a dwindling timeframe to demonstrate his capabilities and persuade the national team coach ahead of the tournament.