Dele-Bashiru Vows More Goals, Assists Under Sarri at Lazio

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele‑Bashiru has pledged to elevate his goal-scoring and creative output as he settles under new manager Maurizio Sarri at Lazio ahead of the 2025/26 season. After featuring in a recent friendly defeat to Fenerbahçe coming off at half-time Dele‑Bashiru described it as a useful test for the team’s ongoing tactical evolution.

The 24 year old, who joined Lazio from Hatayspor in summer 2024, emphasised his commitment to absorbing Sarri’s systems. “He’s a very, very top‑level coach… for me, a player that hasn’t had that much experience at the highest level, it’s important for me to be focused in training, listening to his tactics” he said, reaffirming his pursuit of consistency and development.

Looking ahead, Dele‑Bashiru set clear objectives to help Lazio secure Champions League qualification and to contribute significantly, whether through goals or assists. He added: “If I carry on with these trainings, I will grow to be a strong player… Hopefully, next season will go well for me and the team”.

Editorial

We share Dele‑Bashiru’s sense of opportunity under Sarri. His move to Lazio marked a step up in challenge and yet, his mindset remains grounded. We admire that willingness to embrace intensive coaching and tactical discipline it sets him apart.

At 24, he sits at a crossroads potential must translate into productivity. Promising flashes during his Hatayspor spell earned the move but sustained impact in Italy demands professionalism and adaptability. Playing under Sarri offers elite learning but he must capitalise on every session, every chance.

We see his ambition to support Lazio’s Champions League aspirations as a natural extension of his own growth trajectory. Goals and assists are the metrics that matter but leadership, positioning and anticipation count too. His comments suggest self-awareness and that level of maturity in a player can inspire upward momentum.

Transitioning to Serie A is never easy, especially with its rigours and defensive sophistication. Yet, we believe that if Dele‑Bashiru marries Sarri’s structure with his own midfield footwork and vision, he can flourish—and possibly become a key cog in Lazio’s engine.

If he succeeds, it speaks not just of individual achievement, but of Nigeria’s expanding influence through well-developed exports. And for Lazio, it reflects smart recruitment—signing players primed for progress, not just payoff.

We expect Dele‑Bashiru to grow stronger, smarter and more influential. His confidence in training should become certainty on matchdays. We believe he is poised to prove himself.

Did You Know?

1. Dele‑Bashiru featured in Lazio’s friendly against Fenerbahçe ahead of the 2025/26 season opener, before being substituted early in the second half.
2. He joined Lazio after a strong campaign with Hatayspor in Turkey during the 2024 season, initially on loan before the move was made permanent.
3. At just 24, he represents a growing group of home‑grown players making competitive moves into Serie A without prior Italian club experience.
4. Sarri is the first Italian manager Dele‑Bashiru has played under not counting youth coaches—with a reputation for methodical midfield systems.
5. Goals and assists are key but Lazio’s tactical emphasis often values ball retention and control—qualities Dele‑Bashiru has highlighted in his adaptation strategy.