Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admits Nicolò Zaniolo must change some habits, but whenever he calls the Aston Villa striker ‘he’s at home alone and needs affection.’
The Italy coach spoke about Zaniolo during the Gran Galà del Calcio on Monday night when he was named Best Serie A coach for the 2022-23 campaign.
“Zaniolo is strong. When I call him, he is at home alone and needs affection,” said the Azzurri CT as quoted by Il Corriere dello Sport.
“He doesn’t always have correct habits and having the right habits daily gives more strength in the work. That’s what I tell him. Against North Macedonia, he was a little bit sloppy in tracking back and we conceded a goal, but he remains a strong player.”
Zaniolo, 24, has scored two goals in 17 games for Italy, making four appearances under Spalletti. the Certaldo-born coach was appointed to replace Roberto Mancini this past September.
Zaniolo, a former Roma striker, joined Aston Villa on an initial loan deal with an option to buy from Galatasaray last summer but has yet to score or assist with the Premier League side this term.
He was subbed off during the halftime break in his last three Premier League matches and Aston Villa fans criticised him on social media following an away 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last week.
The 24-year-old has made 16 appearances with Aston Villa this season.