Nicola Zalewski's future was one of the main transfer topics in Polish and Italian media around our national team players. Since Daniele De Rossi became Roma's coach, Zalewski played much less, especially in the starting line-up, even despite the change in formation. This suggested that Nicola could change clubs during the current window. Zalewski's name appeared mainly in the context of Torino, where an exchange between the clubs was supposed to take place. Thanks to it, the Pole would go to Turin, and Raoul Bellanova would go the other way.
– When I get back to Rome, I'll think about what to do next. Roma. I have always believed that certain things are done in pairs, and if there is no will on either side, we choose different paths. We will see what happens. There are certainly many things to clarify. We need to talk to Roma before we decide whether we will continue working together or part ways – said Zalewski during Euro 2024 in an interview with Sky Sport. Roma valued Zalewski at 10-15 million euros.
– It's nice living in Rome, he's probably happy with his contract conditions, but maybe we'll have to take a step back both sportingly and financially. Maybe we'll have to move to a weaker club to play about 30 games. game80 or 90 minutes. This boy still has the potential to progress. I wishfully say that he should go to Bologna, but is he able to give quality to this team now? Zalewski's situation is not the easiest – said Mateusz Borek in the Sport Channel, referring to Zalewski's situation in Rome.
What did Zalewski do in this situation? “It's hard to describe”
Despite the uncertain transfer situation, Zalewski was included in Roma's squad for the away match against Cagliari Calcio. The Pole also appeared in the starting lineup, where he formed an attacking quartet with Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matias Soule and Artiom Dowbyk. Zalewski was on the pitch for 70 minutes, and then Paulo came on Dybala. In one of the situations, Zalewski received the ball on the left side of the pitch and tried to deceive one of the opponents with his body balance.
The Polish international tried to cross the ball into the penalty area in an unconventional way, most likely towards Dowbyk, but he did it so badly that the ball did not go towards the penalty area at all and quickly left the pitch. “Zalewski's pass to Maradona”, “Zalewski masterclass”, “it's hard to describe in human terms”, “I don't know what he's doing in this club” – wrote Internet users on social media.
Ultimately, the match between Cagliari and Roma ended in a goalless draw.