Nicolò Zaniolo

[mil1lion]

The creative label is very boring and overused. We will create plenty with the wing backs and front 3 along with the odd forward runs from the centre backs and central midfielders. I never get this obsession with a creative player and the number 10 label. Another player like Kulusevski would be fantastic and add to the overall depth in quality. We have different forms of creativity but need it in depth as that's been our problem.

 

[Beefyboy]

The creative label is very boring and overused. We will create plenty with the wing backs and front 3 along with the odd forward runs from the centre backs and central midfielders. I never get this obsession with a creative player and the number 10 label. Another player like Kulusevski would be fantastic and add to the overall depth in quality. We have different forms of creativity but need it in depth as that's been our problem.

Nail on head. "We need a creative midfielder to unlock defences" is such an outdated way of thinking (in my opinion) in modern day system based football.

Lots of people kept saying a lack of creativity was an issue for us when in reality I think since conte came in we were the 2nd most creative team in the league.

You don't need a Mr Creativity player you just need better players in the system, like perisic being am upgrade on sess.

 

[daryl hannah]

Nail on head. "We need a creative midfielder to unlock defences" is such an outdated way of thinking (in my opinion) in modern day system based football.

Lots of people kept saying a lack of creativity was an issue for us when in reality I think since conte came in we were the 2nd most creative team in the league.

You don't need a Mr Creativity player you just need better players in the system, like perisic being am upgrade on sess.

I dont think it’s outdated in modern football. Maddison had 20 goal involvements last year. De Bruyne is always up there. Bruno and now Eriksen at Utd. It’s still perfectly valid.

 

[mil1lion]

I dont think it’s outdated in modern football. Maddison had 20 goal involvements last year. De Bruyne is always up there. Bruno and now Eriksen at Utd. It’s still perfectly valid.

Thing is a player like Kulusevski will do similar numbers and Zaniolo is capable. Its just a stylistic preference people have. Nothing to do with creativity which comes in different forms. As long as the goals come different areas of the pitch that's the most important thing. Those ball playing with the head up players are always referred to as creative. A player who creates just as much in a different way doesn't. It never makes sense to me.

 

[mdharris]

I like the look of him. I would prefer Maddison, then Paqueta over him. But if Zaniolo keeps Conte happy, I’m all in. Provides a nice rotation for Kulu, a strong and technical player playing off the right. In general it provides nice balance with Son’s pace and running in behind on the opposite side.

 

[Cochise]

A creative midfielder is just a way of saying that we need a player that can see the runs of his team mates and execute passes into their path. A lot of good teams have one, be it a deep sitting one or the archetypal #10. Modric, Thiago, de Bruyne are all variations imo of a "creative midfielder".

FWIW you can argue that with Conte's system, being able to see a run is less of an issue as runs will be happening, players just need to make the pass.

I still don't see what the fuss is all about with Zaniolo. We do need another player up top, as I think we do only have 4.5 forwards (Lucas is the 0.5 with his dalliances at RWB), but like a few others here, he's not close to being my first pick.

 

[Ginola+Tonic]

My guess - If a deal can be done, it will be concluded on Saturday, Medical will be scheduled for Monday/Tuesday. Deal will be announced on Wednesday.

If the parties are still too far apart - we will move on after this weekend - imo

And on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

chilled on Sunday!!!

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

A creative midfielder is just a way of saying that we need a player that can see the runs of his team mates and execute passes into their path. A lot of good teams have one, be it a deep sitting one or the archetypal #10. Modric, Thiago, de Bruyne are all variations imo of a "creative midfielder".

FWIW you can argue that with Conte's system, being able to see a run is less of an issue as runs will be happening, players just need to make the pass.

I still don't see what the fuss is all about with Zaniolo. We do need another player up top, as I think we do only have 4.5 forwards (Lucas is the 0.5 with his dalliances at RWB), but like a few others here, he's not close to being my first pick.

So Kane is about as good at seeing runs as anyone and in conte’s system where the patterns are “pre-determined” he’s an absolute master creator.

I think Conte wants another left footed player to compete with Kulusevski to keep the balance of the team and draw the opposition left back to expose more attacking overlaps. Having Lucas there or even Richarlison is definitely a different balance. I don’t think Zaniolo has the touch or vision of Deki but he has more pace and power and still has a sweet left foot. Defences will have to take his threat seriously and it’ll open up more gaps.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

The creative label is very boring and overused. We will create plenty with the wing backs and front 3 along with the odd forward runs from the centre backs and central midfielders. I never get this obsession with a creative player and the number 10 label. Another player like Kulusevski would be fantastic and add to the overall depth in quality. We have different forms of creativity but need it in depth as that's been our problem.

the front 3 apart there is a dearth of creativity in the side none of the midfield players are what could be called creative or killer final ball players - its alright saying the wing backs but neither Doherty or Emerson are good enough and Spence we don't know yet - Perisic is a good player on the left and will add something out wide but Sessegnon needs to improve greatly at both ends - that's why some think adding a creative midfield player who offers both a goal threat and creative presence would add greatly to the squad and give us other options

 

[chas vs dave]

If we do sign him, then we are going to be a nightmare to play against, in terms of physicality.

 

[Nerine]

Should we sign Zaniolo, I think he’d be an absolute monster for us.

 

[lobob8]

At this point I'd be happy with any of the players we've been linked to, think they all have their strengths. Zaniolo would be great cover with Deki on the right as well as able to operate centrally, Deki could go in the middle too, Richy can cover both Son and Kane, and we all know their fluidity. I'm not too bothered as far as creative midfield goes, Perisic is great at crossing, Doherty will get in the box, I think you'll see PEH and Bissouma venture forward at times in support, plus Sess and Moura cause problems. Really exciting variety in terms of attack.

 

[SandroClegane]

Think he's built absolutely perfectly for the Premier League and would slot right in. I don't think Paqueta is.

Would be perfectly content with Zaniolo or Maddison but think Zaniolo has a much higher ceiling and would love to see what he can do.

 

[FloridaSpur]

View attachment 115046

From Enrico Camelio who is apparently very reliable for Roma

"Before the friendly between Roma and Tottenham there will be no negotiations between the two clubs and no medical examination scheduled in London"

I assume he's responding to a rumour about a medical but no idea where that originated.

If he does not start, or remains an unused sub, then I think we will buy him.

 

[soflapaul]

if we get any one of the three, we will have a team that can win and play a style of play that some of us romanticize about. i. e a team that Billy nic would love. heck, we may already have that team.

 

[Cochise]

So Kane is about as good at seeing runs as anyone and in conte’s system where the patterns are “pre-determined” he’s an absolute master creator.

I think Conte wants another left footed player to compete with Kulusevski to keep the balance of the team and draw the opposition left back to expose more attacking overlaps. Having Lucas there or even Richarlison is definitely a different balance. I don’t think Zaniolo has the touch or vision of Deki but he has more pace and power and still has a sweet left foot. Defences will have to take his threat seriously and it’ll open up more gaps.

I agree with you on Kane, nearly every fan can now see he is a special kind of player. Even without the Conte automations, he'd be picking out through ball's.

The problem I have is that he is the only player we have who can do that. That imo makes us predictable, fill up the spaces he operates in or man mark him and we struggle. It also means we are completely reliant on him, any injuries and we can't replicate what he does.

Having someone that can do what he can from another area of the pitch is preferable to me, which is why I'm more inclined to want a player like Maddison than one like Zaniolo. I mean ideally I'd like one of each but that's not happening.

 

[double0]

To those on the fence - manager after manager haven't been backed. Now we are.

I don't necessarily buy into the "Conte knows best" line 100% but if we get him the players he wants and something doesn't work out then it's on him really.

If we don't back Conte and we either get halfway-house players or, worse, he leaves then it's on the club (read - Levy).

If we back him it either works (which is great) or it doesn't (and then it's on the manager). This way the club aren't as at fault.

Conte is very specific yet flexible within a structure he knows wins. Therefore the club should back him otherwise wants the point.

Mourhino is the same both proven winners but the latter is very disruptive and generally leaves a mess while Conte tends not to with solid foundations.

 

[spursfan77]

A creative midfielder is just a way of saying that we need a player that can see the runs of his team mates and execute passes into their path. A lot of good teams have one, be it a deep sitting one or the archetypal #10. Modric, Thiago, de Bruyne are all variations imo of a "creative midfielder".

FWIW you can argue that with Conte's system, being able to see a run is less of an issue as runs will be happening, players just need to make the pass.

I still don't see what the fuss is all about with Zaniolo. We do need another player up top, as I think we do only have 4.5 forwards (Lucas is the 0.5 with his dalliances at RWB), but like a few others here, he's not close to being my first pick.

I might be wrong but I think this is why he’s targeting players like Zaniolo and Paqueta. Both look like good ball carriers and good at making runs and that’s the kind of creative player we seem to be after rather than the Maddison type.

 

[spursfan77]

Regardless of what has been said so far in this thread I hope he starts on Saturday. I think we all need a good look at him against us and how we play. It should tell us a lot.

 

[THOWIG]

Such a bizarre link. Wouldn’t say he’s what we need, but if Conte does that’s all that matters.