Following remarks made by the Italian tactician, Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru may be slated for a new role change under manager Maurizio Sarri prior to the 2025–2026 campaign.
The 24-year-old played in 20 Premier League games, tallying three goals and dishing out just one assist as Lazio concluded the 2024–2025 season in seventh place.
He made 29 appearances overall for the Rome team in all competitions, contributing three assists and five goals from his midfield position.
Sarri, however, has revealed how he plans to use Dele-Bashiru in his new system, exposing his feelings about the seven-time capped Nigerian international.
After taking over for the departing Marco Baroni on June 2, the 66-year-old manager is back in the Stadio Olimpico dugout and will be looking to make an immediate impression during his second stint in the Italian capital.
Sarri spoke about Dele-Bashiru in an interview with 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.”
Sarri’s remarks may spark rumors about Dele-Bashiru’s future because, similar to the January transfer window, a number of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in the Nigerian.
In his first season, Dele-Bashiru, who has two goals for the national team, joined Lazio on loan from Hatayspor in Turkey in the summer of 2024. However, the Italian team will make the move permanent because it was part of the contract that brought the Nigerian to the capital. If he can adjust to Sarri’s demands, he might be able to secure a regular shirt in the team’s starting lineup.