Nicolo Zaniolo says that even without featuring in the Champions League, playing for Juventus is his dream. The self-confessed Bianconero spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport where he explained why he is happy playing for Galatasaray, but lining up for the Old Lady will always be a dream of his:
Zaniolo, can this really be the good year to see you in bianconero?
“In Istanbul I’m doing well and playing in the Champions League. Then, if by the end of August a good opportunity comes for Galatasaray and me we will consider it.”
In recent weeks there has also been talk of Milan and a survey by Fiorentina. Does Juventus remain your dream even without Champions League?
“I am open to everything. Starting with the possibility of not moving and staying at Galatasaray, where I am doing great. Yes, Juve is Juve, even without Champions League or international cups. I always cheered for the Bianconeri as a kid, my idol was Pogba. Playing at Juve would make me happy. We are talking about a big club. I repeat: If there is an opportunity that makes all three of us happy – Galatasaray, me and Juve – it’s welcome. If not, I am perfectly happy in Turkey. I don’t create expectations for myself, however it will go well.”
At Juventus your friend Moise Kean plays – He has also often been approached by Galatasaray in recent times…
“Moise is a childhood friend, a very strong striker who is often underestimated. He’s a good guy, quiet: a lot of people don’t know him and sometimes judge him for no reason. I would love to play with him: at Galatasaray or Juve.”
If you think back to your six months in Turkey and the championship you won with Galatasaray?
“In Istanbul I found super people, both in the city and inside Galatasaray. They all helped me settle in quickly. I fit in very well. In Turkey I got to know an incredible love for football. I still get chills when I think about the atmosphere in the stadium after the double I scored in the derby against Fenerbahce. Crazy! And then I won the Turkish championship. After the Conference League with Roma, another important trophy. Hopefully it will become a habit.”
At Galatasaray you played with a colony of former Serie A players-from Icardi to Mertens-but in recent weeks there has also been much talk about your partner Sacha Boey, the French full-back being followed by Juventus and other top European clubs. Is he a big-name player?
“Sacha is a nice player: he has running, technique, defends well. At Galatasaray he plays on the right, right behind me. I am not surprised by the interest of Juve and the big teams. As for Icardi, he is without a doubt the best center forward I have played with. And what can I say about Mertens? We are talking about a striker who wrote the history of Napoli.”
Right winger, trequartista, halfback: have you figured out what your role will be when you “grow up”?
“I am very comfortable as a right winger who starts wide and then cuts inside the field. Trequartista is a role I can play well. As a midfielder it comes naturally to me to fit in and throw myself into the box, but I need to work on improving in the defensive phase.”
You returned to the national team for the Nations League. How did it feel to wear the Italy jersey again?
“It’s always an honor to play for the national team and it was good to be back. We have a good, strong group. I have a soft spot for Verratti; Marco is a fantastic player.”
Also on the national team was Chiesa, who has been at the center of market rumors for months. How did you find him?
“Federico is a friend of mine, we often happen to see each other even on vacation in Forte dei Marmi. In the national team we talked a lot, but not about the market….”
Do you see yourself in Casadei, the Azzurri jewel who starred at the Under-20 World Cup and is also in Juventus’ sights?
“Yes, I see myself in him. Casadei went my way from Inter’s Primavera team to a big one, within a negotiation. I followed the Under-20 World Cup and he impressed me. I know him and I hope he has a good future. Now Cesare is at Chelsea. I don’t know if he has nostalgia for Italy: those are personal choices.”
Six months later, is there anything you miss about Rome and Roma?
“Rome has been an important moment in my life, with beautiful pages of my history and others a little less so, and I will be forever grateful to all the fans. My wish is that Roma can win a lot in the coming seasons. They have been good years. I miss the lunches at the restaurant la Locanda, which had become a bit of my second family.”
Have you talked to Mourinho since you moved to Turkey in February?
“No, I haven’t heard from him. But I know Mourinho loves me, he always asks Sergio Olivera, my partner at Galatasaray, about me. I will always be grateful to Mou.”
Can you reveal an anecdote about you and Mourinho?
“Last year, before the game against Empoli, I was a bit down in the dumps because I had not scored for five or six games. Mourinho took me aside and said, “Nicolo, take it easy. You will score today.” And so I did. Mourinho always sees everything first, he is incredible. He is a top coach, special. One who always motivatesyou.”
If you close your eyes for a moment and look back, is there one thing in football he would never do again?
“No, because I am a great believer in destiny. I like to look forward, not backward. As of today we think about Galatasaray and the Champions League preliminaries.”
[Image from GALATASARAY.ORG]
