Lately he speaks little, but when he does, he leaves his mark.
Josè Mourinho, before Napoli-Roma, could not fail to start with the Zaniolo case, because the rift between Nicolò and the club has already been consumed for a while, but now even Special One is no longer there to defend it.
"Unfortunately what I said after Spezia seems to be becoming reality. I expected him to stay, but today I add unfortunately".
Unequivocal words from those who already imagined this epilogue after the victory in Liguria, because ten days after the closure of the market it was difficult to find an offer on the conditions dictated by Rome.
That is, outright sale and listing of at least 30 million.
Milan, the footballer's favorite destination, has never come close to such requests, but in the last few hours the offer from Bournemouth had nevertheless arrived in Trigoria, which satisfied the stakes imposed by Rome.
Not those of the player who didn't even want to listen to the proposal from the English managers, leaving the manager alone to talk.
An attitude that has greatly annoyed the Giallorossi club which will now evaluate measures that can range from a fine to much heavier penalties.
Meanwhile, today in Trigoria he showed up regularly, but with his teammates he only did the warm-up and athletic work, thus being excluded from the tactical part of the session.
On the other hand, Zaniolo "has been saying for a month that he wants to leave, that he no longer wants to play with this shirt or train with this group" Mourinho reiterates, while keeping the focus on the players available and among whom Zaniolo will not be.
And for once the Portuguese abandons a bit of pre-tactics by announcing the entire eleven against Naples with the return of Spinazzola from the first minute.
He will play on the left, with Zalewski on the right and Cristante, Matic and Pellegrini in between.
Goalkeeper and defense confirmed with Rui Patricio, Mancini, Smalling and Ibanez, while in attack it will be the turn of the pair Dybala-Abraham.
In short, the best formation "because we don't want to go there to celebrate their title" says Mourinho, promising a battle despite the championship "
He will rely precisely on the inspiration of Joya to continue chasing a Champions League placement that could change the prospects for next season and also for his future, which he now pretends not to think about.
Instead, the message to the Friedkins comes loud and clear: "I live day after day, when the club wants to talk to me I'll be ready to do so, but today I'm only thinking about Rome".
Rumors of his return to the Premier League, however, are not lacking, especially at Chelsea, whose economic power is very different from that of the Giallorossi.
However, he had no expectations from this market because "the situation of the Financial Fair Play was clear", but in the summer he will need technical guarantees to continue in the capital.
Starting with Smalling,
whose contract expires on June 30 and for which he remains confident.
"My impression is that he wants to stay. I think an agreement can be reached."
Then he specifies: "It must be found".
