Nicolo Zaniolo is desperately trying to convince Unai Emery to make him a key player for Aston Villa, as he eyes up a place in Italy’s squad for Euro 2024.
That’s according to his agent Claudio Vigorelli, who insists the midfielder is “fired up and motivated” to ensure the end of his loan spell is a success.
Zaniolo has been on loan at Aston Villa since the summer, arriving as a late addition to the squad from Turkish side Galatasaray.
The plan had been for him to replace the injured Emi Buendia and play a key role under Emery, but that has not been the case, with him making 21 appearances in the Premier League this season and featuring in just 24% of the minutes.
He appears to have failed to convince Emery to make him a significant part of his plans, with the Spaniard offering him a substitute role at best.
This has had a knock-on effect for Zaniolo’s international hopes, with his participation in Euro 2024 up for debate given his lack of minutes so far.
He was a part of Luciano Spalletti’s squad during the last international break, with 16 minutes against Venezuela and 76 against Ecuador marking his 18th and 19th appearances for his country.
But given he hasn’t scored or assisted for them since November 2019 and his lack of playing time at Aston Villa, there is fierce debate about whether Spalletti can afford to hand him a place in the reduced squad for the tournament.
It appears Zaniolo is aware of that too, with his agent insisting he’s doing everything he can to turn things around.
“Nicolo strongly wants to go to the European Championship next summer,” he said.
“He is elbowing his way into Aston Villa, where the competition is very tough. He badly wanted the Premier League and is trying to carve out a leading role for himself, he still has several months to establish himself.
“The experience in England and the previous one at Galatasaray are making him grow as a player and as a man. We are talking a lot; I feel he is fired up and motivated.”
