Expert issues verdict on Nicolo Zaniolo passing Tottenham medical after latest
Nicolo Zaniolo’s history of ACL injuries is unlikely to have a major bearing on whether or not Tottenham sign him.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Per the Daily Mail on Tuesday (2 August), Spurs are understood to have renewed their interest in Zaniolo.
The attacking midfielder, 23, suffered two ACL injuries on separate knees in the space of a year between 2019 and 2020.
The nine-cap Italy star, who is under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until 2024, had a handful of minor muscular problems in his first full season back in 2021-22.
But Dinnery insists that Spurs’ recruitment team will have already factored in any injury problems the playmaker might encounter.
“We know this is a well-documented injury,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Spurs will be fully aware that he has had these two major setbacks in a short period of time. The last one was a contact injury, which isn’t as worrisome as a non-contact. They happen in this sport.
“As part of their due diligence, there will be a strong focus on those particular injuries. He came back and started 23 times for Roma last season.
“You would expect him to be able to make the step up in terms of performances this season. With the vast amounts of money that are involved in sports these days, they will leave no stone unturned.
“It won’t be a case of Zaniolo passing or failing a medical. Those undertaking the procedure will lay out a list of recommendations in terms of the risk associated with recruiting a player like him.
“It’s then up to stakeholders to take those suggestions on board and make the decision as to whether it’s worth the investment.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor “100 per cent” sure on Antonio Conte contract after Tottenham update.