Italy coach Roberto Mancini gave unhappy Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo some advice and touched on Juventus’ off-pitch troubles.
The 23-year-old Italian has asked the Giallorossi for a transfer this month as he looks for a change of scenery, disappointed with the way things have gone this season. Zaniolo was not offered the contract he wanted by Roma and the fans have started to grow tired of the player, who is struggling to show his best under Jose Mourinho.
Speaking in the Salone d’Onore of CONI, Mancini first revealed his and the Azzurri’s mantra for 2023.
“The mantra will be to rejuvenate the team, also thinking about 2024 and future prospects.”
He weighed on in Zaniolo’s ongoing transfer situation at Roma.
“I believe he is a guy with great qualities, like everyone he must make himself available to the team and exploit his talent.”
The Italy coach commented on what he’s seen in Serie A this season.
“There are some guys not playing, the usual things. Then the league is saying that Napoli are the best team.”
Mancini spoke about the impact on his players of the 15-point deduction handed to Juventus in the capital gains case.
“This I don’t know. The players then go on the pitch, they think about training and playing, I don’t think so.”
Finally, Mancini discussed the importance of the Nations League to the Azzurri. The team have qualified for the Final Four stage, which will be played later this year.
“It’ll be in June. We have two important games first, but then winning the Nations League with younger guys could be a good thing.”