Roberto Mancini believes Nicolò Zaniolo will benefit from his Galatasaray transfer and claims more young Italian players should follow Wilfried Gnonto’s example, getting more playing time abroad.
The Azzurri CT spoke to reporters on Wednesday after an event to present a new commercial FIGC partnership.
It was the first time Mancini had the chance to speak about Zaniolo, who had joined Galatasaray from Roma in February.
“I hope the experience in Turkey will be useful because Nicolò will play for a top team like Galatasaray. When the season resumes, he will play consistently.”
Mancini was also a coach for the Turkish giants between 2013 and 2014, winning 25 of his 46 games in charge and lifting the Turkish Cup in 2013-14.
Zaniolo scored in his debut with Galatasaray last week, although it was a friendly against Alanyaspor.
The ex-Roma starlet made his senior Azzurri debut under Mancini in 2019 and the same is true of Leeds United striker Gnonto who made his first appearance with the national team in June 2022.
“Wilfried is a regular starter in the Premier League, it’s not something to take for granted for a 19-year-old,” he said, as quoted by Sportmediaset.
“I hope other players will follow his example, going abroad and getting more playing time.”
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani also spoke about Zaniolo and Gnonto on Wednesday confirming that the ex-Roma striker could have moved to Elland Road in January.