José Mourinho is so embittered by the treatment that Nicolò Zaniolo is getting from Italian referees that he suggested he leave Serie A and both Tottenham and Newcastle are monitoring the 22-year-old.

Mourinho clearly doesn’t want the Italian starlet to leave the Stadio Olimpico but could not hide his frustration with how Serie A officials are treating Zaniolo.

The Italian midfielder was booked for diving against Bologna and was fined €2,000 by the Sporting Judge for the same reason.

“I want to say something that probably goes against my interests: if I were Nicolo Zaniolo, I would start thinking that perhaps playing in Serie A means things will be stacked against me,” Mourinho said after the match at the Stadio Dall’Ara last night.

Spalletti gets two-match ban, Zaniolo fined

He even left the interview while a DAZN journalist was asking another question to highlight his frustration over the matter.

Zaniolo has scored two goals in the Conference League this season but hasn’t yet found the net in 13 Serie A matches.

He reportedly had disagreements with Mourinho over his role at Roma as he didn’t feel confident playing as a left-winger.

Mourinho has changed the system, trying to give his team more balance, and either Zaniolo or Lorenzo Pellegrini start in a 3-4-1-2 line-up.

With Pellegrini injured, Zaniolo started the game against Bologna, but once again failed to find the net.

His contract with the Giallorossi expires in June 2024 and according to reports in Italy, talks to extend his stay at the club have been put on hold.

Il Corriere dello Sport and Calciomercato.com report Tottenham and Newcastle are interested in securing his services with Spurs director Fabio Paratici a long-time admirer of the 22-year-old. Roma’s asking price is in the region of €40m.

Calciomercato.com reports Zaniolo is also frustrated and has often spoken with his coach about the treatment he gets from Serie A officials.

One thought on “What’s behind Mourinho’s words on Zaniolo and why they concern Tottenham and Newcastle”
  1. I think we should avoid this one. He is just returning from a long injury which often the player never reaches the original performance levels regains.
    He was a talented player and may be again, but unless he us a bargain why take the rusk

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