Nigeria Super Eagles and Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, has asked fans of his new club to be patient with him as he adapts to life in the Serie A, www.aclsports.com reports.
The 23-year-old, a product of Manchester City’s Academy, joined le Aquile on loan this summer from Turkish side, Hatayspor, with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.
Speaking shortly after he was handed the number seven jersey at the club, Fisayo mentioned the role he’d prefer to play for the two-time Serie A Champions. Additionally, he wants the fans to be patient with him as he gets used to the league’s demands.
“Italian football is very tactical; this is the biggest challenge,” the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder told the club’s official website.
“My favourite role is as a number 8 or 10. I am ready to play and make the fans happy. I had some problems at the beginning of the season, but now I am better, and I am understanding what the coach wants. The training I received at Manchester City was very good, and Turkish football taught me a lot. I know I’ll need to adapt to Serie A, but I’ve found a very supportive environment here, and I hope we can have a great season.”
Dele-Bashiru, who scored his first international goal for Nigeria in June, is expected to play a key role under manager Marco Baroni as they look to challenge for honours in the Serie A, the Europa League, and the Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, the midfielder is the fourth Nigerian to play for Lazio after the likes of Daniel Ola, Stephen Makinwa, and more recently Ogenyi Onazi.
Lazio will take on Venezia at Stadio Olimpico in their Serie A opener on Sunday with Dele-Basiru expected to make his competitive debut for the Italian side.
