Zaniolo opens up on new contract and new targets with Roma

Nicolo Zaniolo has explained how he always felt Roma was the only place for him to continue his development, after signing a new long-term contract extension with the club.

In his first interview since signing a five-year deal with the Giallorossi, Zaniolo explained why he wanted to commit his future to the club – after an impressive first season that saw him earn international recognition and widespread praise.

“My wish was always to stay here,” Zaniolo told Roma TV.

“With my agent and the club we have worked hard while looking towards the future and I am very pleased with this contract extension. I hope to continue to progress and help achieve something important with the team this season.”

The new contract completes a whirlwind 12 months for Zaniolo, who joined Roma last summer as the relatively unheralded third member of a complex transfer that saw Radja Nainggolan head to Inter Milan and Zaniolo and Davide Santon come in the opposite direction.

“Last year I arrived with little fanfare – but I immediately got to work and did everything I could to catch the attention of the coach,” Zaniolo noted.

“Then, after that, I was lucky enough and good enough to get a chance in the team and then keep it. That is my strength: I never give up and I always believe in myself.

“As soon as I signed [this contract] the directors told me that I had made another important step, now I am an established player and I need to keep my head on my shoulders. It’s vital that I carry myself the right way. We are a young group, a talented group: together we can achieve a lot of things.

“When I was alone [after signing the contract], the first thing I thought was: ‘Now it’s for real’. I’ve now become a proper professional and so I need to handle myself like one – on the pitch and off it.

"I need to be professional and set the example for other players my age.”

Since signing for Roma, Zaniolo has gone on to make his Serie A debut and his Champions League debut – and has scored goals in both competitions.

He has also received a number of call-ups for Italy, including his first cap.

Not bad for a first campaign in senior football.

“Last season was a very exciting one with me, my first season in senior football with so many new experiences,” he said.

“I hope to continue pushing on. It has not always been easy, with all the eyes that have been on me, but that’s the life of a footballer, with its pros and cons, especially at a big club like Roma. I hope to continue playing regularly and doing well, to make the fans happy.

“To stay at the highest level you need to be humble. You need to have your family behind you, the club backing you and your teammates helping you. I think that I have all of that here and that is very pleasing.

“I never had even the slightest thought about leaving Roma. I feel good at this club, I’m in love with this city and the passion of the fans – so I never thought about departing. I always strived to earn this renewal and to continue this journey together.”

Nevertheless, Zaniolo knows he still has a lot of work to do to reach his full potential – something he is hopeful he can do under the direction of coach Paulo Fonseca.

“I still have a lot of weaknesses, to be honest, but we are working on those with the Mister and his coaching staff,” he said.

“I can think more about the game, look after my body better, all the little things I can improve that will enable me to get better.

“My impressions of the coach are very positive. He’s focused, determined and really well-prepared. He’s a coach who has adapted to this club. He seems to be a great person and a great tactician.

“Training sessions are very intense, they are asking us to work hard from a physical standpoint. That’s the right way to go, working hard during the work to take advantage during games – feeling stronger and able to run further and for longer than our opponents.”

I never had even the slightest thought about leaving Roma. I feel good at this club, I’m in love with this city and the passion of the fans – so I never thought about departing.

- Nicolo Zaniolo

With a new-look squad to go with the new coach this season, Zaniolo is optimistic about the future – and ready to fit in to the side wherever necessary.

“I feel like I am a versatile player, able to play a variety of different roles: right-wing, trequartista, central midfielder,” he said.

“But those decisions are all made by the coach, I will put myself completely at the disposal of him and the team. I will do my best to give the team whatever it needs.

“The new signings are all great player, that have the ability to add to this squad. They have settled in well and are all great guys. If I have to pick out one name, I would say [Gianluca] Mancini. I’ve played with him for the national team, I’ve known him for a long time and in my opinion he’s a very strong defender.

"I think that he will be able to show all his ability here at Roma.”

With just over a week to go until the new season kicks off, it is almost time for the football to do the talking for everyone.

“We are all excited, we are working well and cannot wait to get the season underway,” Zaniolo noted.

“I hope that we can get off to the right start in front of our fans. We begin against Genoa, at home, and they are a well-prepared side that have had a good transfer window. Then there is the derby, which is a different kind of game that we know we need to win.

"We want to start the league campaign on the right foot.”