Leeds United were linked with a whole host of right-sided defenders in January before we finally got a loan deal done for Burnley’s Connor Roberts on deadline day – and one was Alessandro Zanoli.
Zanoli, 23, had managed just six outings for Napoli during the first half of the season – including a sub outing against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Just one start, for the current Serie A champions.
Leeds asked about Zanoli, and reports in January said that the Italy U21 man was keen on a move to Elland Road. But it didn’t go further than Leeds making an enquiry. He joined Serie A side Salernitana.
But as he might have expected when joining, it has been a struggle. Salernitana sit rock bottom of Italy’s top tier, winning two league games all season. He has played in all eight games he’s been available for.
Initially, two sub outings before starting the last six. But Zanoli is yet to taste victory following his move to the Serie A outfit, picking up only two points from a possible 24. He did get an assist on Saturday.
Alessandro Zanoli yet to win at new club after Leeds United links
But it wasn’t enough, as Salernitana were easily beaten by Cagliari 4-2. Zanoli’s Salernitana looked destined for relegation at the end of the season, sitting 10 points adrift of safety way down in 20th.
Whether Zanoli would have been a good signing for Leeds remains to be seen. But, the Whites got Roberts and the Wales star has made a real impact since – his goal against Leicester, for example.
That could change on Saturday evening though, with Salernitana hosting 15th placed Lecce. On paper, a winnable game. But it it is going to take a massive swing in form to save themselves this season.
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