In the wake of the 20-year-old’s spectacular performance in Italy’s 9-1 win over Armenia in the EURO 2020 qualifiers, comparisons have been drawn between the youngster and the AS Roma legend.
The Italian international played 27 times last season in both Serie A and Champions League for AS Roma after joining from Inter Milan.
Zaniolo has played 12 times for club and country this season, having scored three goals in the process.
Ranieri believes it is premature to compare the two and has insisted that expectations surrounding Zaniolo must be lowered to help him grow into a champion.
“Zaniolo is not heir to Totti,” the former Chelsea and Leicester City manager told the Corriere dello Sport at a meeting between the coaches and referees in Rome.
“But he is a great player who can become a champion by improving and listening to his coaches.”
He added: "You have to stay calm because, he has to grow and he has to do it quietly without reflectors”
“I expected him to be good, because last year with him I had his worst moment, but on the boy there is something to bet because he is a force of nature and he is improving game after game ".
After the international break, Zaniolo’s AS Roma will be facing Brescia, hoping to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat to Parma.
