Dele-Bashiru set for new role under Sarri
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Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could be set for a new role shift under manager Maurizio Sarri ahead of the 2025/26 season, in the wake of comments made by the Italian tactician, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old featured in 20 top-flight matches, scoring thrice and providing just one assist as Lazio finished the 2024/25 campaign in seventh position.
In all, he made 29 appearances across all competitions for the Rome outfit, netting five goals and supplying a further three assists from his midfield position.
However, Sarri has laid bare his thoughts about the seven-time capped Nigerian international, as he reveals how to feature Dele-Bashiru in his new system.
The 66-year-old gaffer is back in the Stadio Olimpico dugout, having replaced the departed Marco Baroni on June 2 and will be hoping to have an immediate impact in what is his second stint in the Italian capital.
Sarri spoke about Dele-Bashiru on an interview by LaLazioSiamoNoi, “I don’t know how Dele-Bashiru is at dribbling, we’ll see. I’ve seen a player play as a trequartista who everyone tells me isn’t a trequartista, so let’s see if we can bring him back to midfield and see what evolution he might have.” I have heard good things about him from professionals outside of Lazio. And I’m not talking about the Lazio environment, but about sporting directors from other clubs. Probably he has some qualities, evidently.”
The statement by Sarri could ignite speculation about Dele-Bashiru’s future, with several Premier League clubs reportedly interested in the Nigerian just as it was during the January transfer window.
Dele-Bashiru, who has scored two goals for the national team, initially joined Lazio on loan from Turkish outfit Hatayspor in the summer of 2024 in what was his debut campaign, though the Italian side will make the move a permanent one as that was included in the contract that brought the Nigerian to the capital. He could nail down a regular shirt in the team’s starting XI, which depends on how well he adapts to Sarri’s demands.
