Nigeria Players Abroad
Maurizio Sarri backs Fisayo Dele-Bashiru for breakout season at Lazio

By Dayo Awoniyi
Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is poised for a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign after earning the public backing of new head coach Maurizio Sarri.
The 23-year-old Nigerian, who joined Lazio from Hatayspor last summer, endured a mixed debut season in Rome, making 29 appearances and contributing five goals and three assists.
Despite flashes of promise, he struggled for consistent minutes under former manager Marco Baroni, prompting speculation about a potential move away from the club.
That uncertainty has since been quashed following Sarri’s arrival, with the former Napoli and Chelsea boss signaling his confidence in the Super Eagles international.
“Dele-Bashiru is a very strong guy who, if he manages to learn a few moves, can give us a big hand,” Sarri said, as quoted by Pazzidifanta.
The English-born midfielder has been among the standout performers in Lazio’s pre-season camp in Auronzo di Cadore, where Sarri is implementing his high-tempo, possession-based style.
A series of upcoming friendlies against Avellino, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, Burnley, and Atromitos will offer Dele-Bashiru further chances to impress ahead of the new Serie A season.
Lazio open their 2025/26 campaign on August 24 with an away fixture at newly promoted Como at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. The league kicks off a day earlier, with reigning champions Napoli hosting Sassuolo.
With Sarri’s endorsement and a fresh tactical setup, Dele-Bashiru now looks primed to transition from a fringe figure to a key component of Lazio’s midfield rebuild.