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Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri and sporting director Angelo Fabiani are at odds over the future of Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the club’s Serie A squad, Footynaija.com reports.
Dele-Bashiru, 24, suffered an injury during Lazio’s Derby della Capitale defeat to Roma and is expected to be sidelined for around a month.
His absence comes at a difficult time for the Biancocelesti, with Nicolo Rovella still nursing a groin problem and midfield pair Matteo Guendouzi and Reda Belahyane both suspended.
To ease the crisis, Toma Basic is set to be reinstated ahead of Monday’s trip to Genoa.
However, reports in Il Messaggero suggest Sarri is leaning towards removing Dele-Bashiru from the squad list to accommodate Basic, rather than injured full-back Manuel Lazzari.
That decision has caused friction with Fabiani, who remains one of Dele-Bashiru’s staunchest defenders. The sporting director reportedly opposed similar criticism of the Nigerian under former boss Marco Baroni last season and has consistently backed him to play a key role.
The disagreement is further complicated by Serie A rules, which only allow clubs to make two squad changes before January.
With the Africa Cup of Nations looming in December, Sarri is said to be planning ahead, but he has also privately expressed frustration with Dele-Bashiru’s performances this season despite his regular starts.
Dele-Bashiru is expected back in time for Lazio’s clash with Atalanta on 19 October. Whether he remains part of Sarri’s immediate plans, however, is still unclear.
