Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri has expressed cautious optimism over the role of Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, saying he intends to reposition the 24-year-old in his natural midfield role to unlock his full potential.
In his first public remarks about Dele-Bashiru since returning to the Lazio bench, Sarri told LaLazioSiamoNoi, as reported by SosFanta:
“I don’t know what Dele-Bashiru is like in dribbling, let’s see. I saw a player playing as an attacking midfielder who everyone tells me isn’t an attacking midfielder. Let’s try to bring him back to midfield and see what evolution he can have.”
The former Chelsea and Juventus boss, who rejoined Lazio on 2 June after a 15-month hiatus, takes over from Marco Baroni following the club’s seventh-place finish in Serie A.
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Signed initially on loan from Turkish side Hatayspor, Lazio made Dele-Bashiru’s stay permanent for a reported €5.43 million.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru of SS Lazio during the SS Lazio travel to Bodo on April 08, 2025. (Photo by Getty Images)
The Super Eagles star, who has seven caps and two goals for Nigeria, is currently valued at €8 million, according to Transfermarkt.
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Despite scoring five goals and assisting three in 29 appearances across all competitions last season, Dele-Bashiru struggled for consistency, often being deployed out of position.
“I’ve heard good things about him from sporting directors at other clubs,” Sarri added. “He probably has some qualities.”
Baroni had fielded him in multiple roles—including central midfield, attacking midfield, and the left wing—but he ended the season with only 943 Serie A minutes, starting just 12 matches.
