Italian pundit backs Arsenal-target Dele-Bashiru over ex-Chelsea & Barcelona star for Lazio’s clash with Napoli

Serie A football expert Stefano Mattei has tipped Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to start for Lazio when they take on league leaders Napoli this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.

Lazio, currently fourth in the Serie A table, host first-placed Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in a crucial encounter.

After ending January with defeats to Fiorentina and Sporting Braga, Lazio have bounced back with victories over Cagliari and Monza in February.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was a substitute in both wins, playing the final three minutes against Cagliari and 25 minutes against Monza.

The 24-year-old Nigerian international even capped off the 5-1 rout of Monza with an 88th-minute goal—his third Serie A strike of the season.

Why Dele-Bashiru could start over Pedro

Despite being expected to return to the bench against Napoli, the situation has changed following Boulaye Dia’s knee injury, which could rule him out of the match.

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With Dia sidelined, Lazio boss Marco Baroni faces a choice between Dele-Bashiru and veteran Spanish forward Pedro for the attacking midfield role.

Pedro, 37, remains an influential figure at Lazio, contributing five goals in 17 Serie A appearances this season. However, he has only started four of those matches, often making his impact off the bench.

Still, Mattei believes Dele-Bashiru’s physicality makes him a more suitable option against Napoli’s aggressive midfield.

“It is an important match for Lazio; Napoli are coming off two games in which they have shown a decline,” Mattei said as per Lazio News.

“If Dia were not to make it, I would deploy Dele-Bashiru, because the Neapolitans play both using Lukaku as a centre-forward, and phrasing and bringing three men to the center, with McTominay and Anguissa, so Gila and Romagnoli could struggle.

“With the Nigerian, we would have more physicality. Pedro is the player who comes off the bench best, so I would use him like that.”

Lazio and Napoli have already faced each other twice this season, with Lazio winning both encounters.

In a 3-1 Coppa Italia victory on December 5, both Dele-Bashiru and Pedro started, with the Spaniard providing an assist. Three days later, in a 1-0 league win at Napoli, Dele-Bashiru played the full 90 minutes while Pedro came on as a second-half substitute.

Arsenal & Man City monitoring Dele-Bashiru amid Lazio success

Meanwhile, Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs on Dele-Bashiru following his impressive performances in Italy.

The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was a key figure at Hillsborough before rejecting a new contract and moving to Turkey with Hatayspor in 2023.

His strong displays there earned him a loan move to Lazio last summer, with the Italian club having an obligation to make the transfer permanent. Reports have valued him at around £5 million plus bonuses.

According to 3 Added Minutes, Dele-Bashiru’s form in Serie A has caught the attention of Arsenal and City, while Brighton & Hove Albion and Juventus have also shown interest.

However, both Brighton and Juventus were reportedly informed he was not available for a transfer.

Since Lazio are set to make his move permanent, any future transfer discussions would need to be held with the Italian club rather than Hatayspor.