Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s journey at Serie A side, Lazio has been one of steady evolution.
The Super Eagles midfielder, on loan from Hatayspor with an obligation to buy, has experienced the highs and lows of adapting to a new league, but recent performances suggest he is finally finding his rhythm at Lazio.
In Lazio’s last six matches, he has featured in five, starting four of them, and has registered two goals while maintaining an average match rating of 7.0. These numbers reflect a growing confidence and adaptability in the Italian top-flight and European competitions.
Despite these encouraging signs, coach Marco Baroni has consistently tempered expectations around the Manchester City youth product, highlighting areas for improvement.
Baroni's mixed review precedes fringe role
Baroni, while acknowledging Dele-Bashiru’s potential, has made a habit of calling for a sharper understanding of the game and positional discipline.
“He is a lad who must understand our football, and to do so, he must train and play,” he said. “We will give him the opportunity to do so.
“He has to improve his posture. He is often closed by the opposition, who don’t give him the chance to drive forward. But when he opens his shoulder, he is devastating. He has to become a ball-winner, but it’s not easy. It’s a complete upheaval, but he made an extraordinary contribution.”
Early in the season, Dele-Bashiru was limited to substitute appearances and outings in the UEFA Europa League, where his performances showed glimpses of his potential but apparently lacked the consistency Baroni demanded.
The tactical debate: Should Lazio unleash Dele-Bashiru?
While Baroni has emphasized the importance of grooming Dele-Bashiru into a complete midfielder, there is growing debate over whether Lazio should abandon efforts to domesticate his game.
The former Sheffield Wednesday star has consistently shown that he thrives in more advanced, progressive roles, whether as a central midfielder driving forward or as a tracking midfielder with the freedom to roam.
Baroni’s desire to refine Dele-Bashiru’s defensive positioning and ball-winning abilities may align with traditional Serie A principles, but it could also risk stifling what makes the Nigerian unique. His ability to make powerful runs, execute progressive passes, and contribute in the final third are qualities that could be better utilized in more attacking roles.
Of his 139 professional career appearances, 88 have come as a central midfielder, where he has scored 13 goals and provided 8 assists. He has also been deployed as an attacking midfielder (32 games, 5 goals, 5 assists), left winger (6 games, 2 goals, 1 assist), and even as a right-back on two occasions.
With Lazio continuing to battle on multiple fronts this season, it is clear that Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has the potential to be a game-changer. However, instead of molding him into a player he is not, Baroni would be better served by tailoring his tactical approach to suit Dele-Bashiru’s strengths.
By continuing to grant him such opportunities, Lazio could unlock the full potential of a player who is already proving he belongs at the highest level.
