Super Eagles star Dele-Bashiru eyes Lazio breakthrough: 3 records within reach under Gattuso

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has started the Gennaro Gattuso era at SS Lazio with encouraging signs as he tries to turn his physical qualities into a regular first-team role, Afrik-Foot reports.

Gattuso included the Nigeria international in Lazio’s pre-season squad and used him in the club’s first four recorded friendlies. Dele-Bashiru came on at half-time against Lazio Under-20 on July 20, then started four days later against Flaminia Civita Castellana at Formello. He played the final 21 minutes in the 6-3 win over Avellino and featured from start to finish in the 2-1 win against Ascoli.

The second game produced the clearest statement so far from the former Hatayspor man, who was linked with a move to Venezia earlier in the summer. Playing in a midfield three with Nicolò Rovella and Kenneth Taylor, Dele-Bashiru scored in the 31st minute as Lazio beat Flaminia 6-0. He was replaced at half-time, but his goal came from a move down the left involving Sana Fernandes and Alfonso Pedraza.

The early evidence gives Manchester United-linked Dele-Bashiru a chance to be a key player for Lazio under the former AC Milan midfielder. Should the Super Eagles star become a regular in the Lazio starting lineup, he could attack three personal Lazio records when competitive football begins.

Three Fisayo Dele-Bashiru records to target at Lazio

Most Serie A goals in a season – 3

Dele-Bashiru’s best Serie A scoring season so far came in 2024-25, when he scored three goals in 20 appearances. He also supplied one assist that season. His league goals included strikes against Bologna, Atalanta and Hellas Verona, showing that he can contribute when given attacking freedom.

His second Serie A campaign was less productive. He scored once in 24 league appearances and played 1,187 minutes, taking his Lazio league total to four goals across two seasons.

That leaves a clear target under Gattuso: four Serie A goals would give him a new personal best. His goal against Flaminia also fits the kind of attacking contribution Lazio will want from a midfielder making late runs into the area. Gattuso said after the 6-0 win that goals should not come only from the forwards, pointing to a system in which midfielders and wide players are expected to contribute.

Most Serie A starts in a season – 12

Dele-Bashiru’s highest number of Serie A starts came in his first season, when he started 12 of his 20 league appearances and played 947 minutes. In 2025-26, he started 11 of 24 matches.

That makes 12 his current benchmark. Breaking it would require at least 13 Serie A starts in 2026-27, although the more meaningful goal would be to push well beyond that number. Dele-Bashiru has already shown he can handle a starting role, including the opening-day match against Venezia in August 2024, when he played the full game in Lazio’s 3-1 victory.

Gattuso’s early use of him is important in that context. The coach started him against Flaminia in a 4-3-3, placing him alongside Rovella and Taylor. If that midfield combination develops during the rest of pre-season, Dele-Bashiru could have a stronger route to regular starts than in either of his first two Lazio campaigns.

Most goal involvements in a Lazio season – 8

Dele-Bashiru’s best all-competition season for Lazio was 2024-25, when he recorded five goals and three assists in 29 appearances. That gives him eight goal involvements.

His five goals were split between Serie A and the Europa League: three in the league and two in eight Europa League appearances. His two Europa League assists added to the one assist he recorded in Serie A.

His output dropped in 2025-26, when he managed one Serie A goal and one Coppa Italia goal. Although the season was disrupted by a hamstring injury and participation at the Africa Cup of Nations that kept him out for about two months.

Gattuso now offers him a fresh opportunity. Dele-Bashiru’s pace, strength and ability to arrive around the box can give Lazio another attacking option from midfield. If he reaches nine goal involvements across all competitions, he will have set a new Lazio personal best.

The numbers therefore give the Super Eagles midfielder three clear targets: four Serie A goals, 13 league starts and nine all-competition goal involvements. His early work with Gattuso suggests the opportunity is there and the next step is turning pre-season minutes into a full Serie A campaign.