Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru may be in line for a new tactical role under returning Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri ahead of the 2025/26 season, following revealing comments from the Italian coach.
The 24-year-old featured in 20 Serie A matches last season, scoring three goals and providing one assist as Lazio finished seventh. Across all competitions, Dele-Bashiru made 29 appearances, contributing five goals and three assists from midfield.
Sarri, who returned to the Lazio bench on June 2 after replacing Marco Baroni, has hinted at a possible positional change for the Nigerian international. In an interview with LaLazioSiamoNoi, Sarri questioned whether Dele-Bashiru is best suited as a trequartista or should be redeployed deeper in midfield.
“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 one, so let’s see if we can bring him back to midfield and see what evolution he might have,” said the 66-year-old tactician. “I’ve heard good things about him from professionals outside of Lazio—not just within the club, but from sporting directors at other teams. So evidently, he has qualities.”
Dele-Bashiru initially joined Lazio on loan from Turkish club Hatayspor in the summer of 2024. His debut season impressed Lazio enough to trigger the clause that makes the move permanent.
Sarri’s comments have sparked speculation over Dele-Bashiru’s future role at the club and reignited interest from Premier League teams, just as was the case during the January transfer window. The midfielder, who has two international goals to his name, now has a chance to solidify a starting spot at Lazio, depending on how well he adapts to Sarri’s vision for the squad.
