Why people are comparing Roma's Nicolo Zaniolo to Man Utd's primary playmaker

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Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo drew comparisons with Paul Pogba after a sensational individual goal against Sassulo on Boxing Day.

Zaniolo, who arrived at Roma in the summer from Inter Milan, scored his first goal for the club on Wednesday evening. And what a goal it was, topping off a superb piece of skill by the Italian.

How does Zaniolo compare to Paul Pogba? Five things to know…

  1. Like Zaniolo, Pogba failed to appear for Manchester United in his first season with the club.
  2. Pogba, like Zaniolo, excelled when he moved to a new club.
  3. Pogba’s maiden goal wasn’t as delicate as the Italian’s, but it was equally spectacular – a long rage curler from outside the box.
  4. Zaniolo plays in the same position as Pogba, who has created more chances than any United teammate this season.
  5. It remains to be seen if that comparison will endure, Zaniolo will need to win a few Serie A titles and at least one World Cup winners medal to really match up.

The 19-year-old ran in on goal from the right flank, he was confronted by Gian Ferrari whom he flummoxed with a delightful Cruyff turn, then a dummy caused Ferrari to go to ground; remaining composed the youngster chipped the ball elegantly over the defender and a sprawling Andrea Consigli behind him.

Social media erupted with excitement following his brilliant maiden effort. Zaniolo’s goal topped off a 3-1 victory for Roma who went ahead via Diego Perotti’s penalty. Patrick Schick put them two ahead before the break. But they couldn’t prevent Sassulo getting on the score sheet with a late consolation goal.

I Giallorossi’s victory helps them maintain the pressure on the league’s top four, as they move four points behind fourth-placed Lazio. However, they are miles behind Juventus at the top of Serie A. The reigning champions have half a century of points after 18 games and are undefeated in the league.

The contrasting fortunes of Zaniolo and Nainggolan

Radja Nainggolan joined Inter after being snubbed by Belgium manager Roberto Martinez for the World Cup in the summer. Nainggolan has played 15 times for the Nerazzurri so far this season, completing the full 90 minutes on four occasions. But the midfielder has now been suspended temporarily with the club citing disciplinary reasons.

Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco will have enjoyed a few quiet chuckles after making the apparently shrewd decision to offload the troublesome midfielder in exchange for Zaniolo, along with a transfer fee and Davide Santon, in the summer. Nainggolan has earned a reputation for being rather old school, but not in a good way. The Belgian has readily admitted to enjoying the odd cigarette, an indulgence that is highly frowned upon in the modern game.

Zaniolo’s former Inter coach Stefano Vecchi told the BBC  the midfielder will “go places” and compared him to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Zaniolo has also been praised by Roma legend Francesco Totti who hailed the players maturity and says he could become a great player. “He has explosive strength and technique, and everything it takes to become a truly great player. Don’t let him hear me though. He may yet change course and I don’t want that on my shoulders.”

The post The new Pogba? Nicolo Zaniolo hailed after audacious maiden goal for Roma appeared first on Squawka News.



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