Former Lazio midfielder Roberto Rambaudi, has heaped praises on Nigerian international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for his stellar performances for the le Aquile.
Rambaudi who was on the ranks of Lazio between 1994 and 1998, also stated that coach Marco Baroni should include the 23-year old in his starting eleven for Sunday’s Rome derby against neighbors AS Roma.
Dele-Bashiru has impressed in recent games despite a slow start, and scored Lazio’s only goal in the 1-1 draw against table-toppers Atalanta before the winter break, emphasizing his importance to the team.
“I think Dele-Bashiru will be there from the first minute. He is confident, in condition, he can play multiple roles,” Rambaudi explained.
“He is the most functional. He also has the physicality and the change of pace to cause problems for the opposing team when you steal the ball and he can put pressure on Paredes”, he added while speaking to Radiosei.
The Super Eagles midfielder moved to the Stadio Olimpico from Turkish side Hatayspor and initially struggled to adjust to the demands of Italian football. He has however grown in influence, appearing in five of Lazio’s six league matches.
His physicality and presence in the attacking box has helped the team, as they currently occupy the fourth position, six points off the summit and has also drawn praises from his manager.
“Dele-Bashiru has great potential, but it’s clear he has to find the rhythm of the match, the mentality, the physicality, and the quality. It’s not easy to transition from a different league to the Italian one, where mistakes are not tolerated”, Baroni said.
Dele-Bashiru will hope his recent exploits are enough to guarantee a start when they play against Claudio Ranieri’s AS Roma on Sunday night.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
