Lazio player season ratings

Lazio fans re-creating their club logo

 

As the season comes to a bittersweet end, the boys at the Laziali have a look player-by player and give you their overall season ratings. It was a promising year that fell short by one point – A very disappointing end to a great year. It was so promising, with amazing surprise performances by many players. The team overachieved in so many ways, yet they have nothing to show for it but a spot in the Europa League. Now, the summer transfer window will open – does Lotito sell and start fresh, or will he try to reinforce the team and make another push for the Champions League next season?

 

Goalkeepers

Thomas Strakosha of Lazio, Source- Getty Images

Thomas Strakosha had an outstanding season. The 23-year-old Albanian appeared in all 54 games this year for Lazio, earning him a B+ season rating. He had a great season keeping Lazio in many games, but there were times where his age and lack of experience really showed. The young keeper had 14 clean sheets across all competitions as well making a total of 126 saves. He averaged a 6.65/10 rating according to WhoScored.com. Although he had no competition this year from either Federico Marchetti or Ivan Vargic, Strakosha really impressed and will look to build on a solid campaign next year.

Ivan Vargić N/A

 

Defenders

Stefan De Vrij of Lazio, Source- talksport.com

Stefan De Vrij had arguably one of his best careers for Lazio since joining the team back in 2014. De Vrij has played in over 90 games in his time in Rome, this year making 49 appearances: a big reason for Lazio’s success. He scored a career high 7 goals, and notched an assist as well. He had a 91% pass percentage and had a 6.92/10 rating according to WhoScored.com. He earns an A- overall season rating. De Vrij was by far Lazio’s best defender and most consistent. Despite his last game not being one to remember, De Vrij has had a solid career for Lazio and we wish him the best at Inter.

Luiz Felipe is one player that turned a lot of heads this year. The young Brazilian appeared in 17 of Lazio’s last 18 games, and earns himself a B+ after a great first year with the Biancocelesti. The 21-year-old started his professional career in Serie D with Ituano before being bought by Lazio two years ago. He was loaned out to Salernitana last year where he appeared in 7 games in the Serie B, but was taken to the Serie A by Inzaghi at the start of the season. Luiz Felipe remains one player to watch out for in the coming years. A great young defender with a lot of potential.

Stefan Radu is the only player remaining from the 2007-08 team who qualified for the Champions League over a decade ago. The 31-year-old Romanian had a solid 17/18 campaign appearing in 31 games for the Biancocelesti. Radu adapted very well to Inzaghi’s system this season, and was a solid part of the team’s success. Although Radu’s is ageing, he remains a key a depth player over the next year. His contract remains up until the end of next season. His overall season ratings is a B.

Dusan Basta, the 33-year-old veteran Serbian, had himself an up-and-down campaign. Injuries bothered him through the year which allowed him to only appear in 23 games. Basta joined Lazio back in 2014 and has been nothing but solid for the biancocelesti. He earns himself a B-. With his contract ending next year, Lazio are probably going to be looking for a replacement for him over the summer transfer window.

Martín Cáceres joined in the January transfer window from Hellas Verona. A reinforcement to Wallace and Bastos, the defender did just exactly that. Though inconsistent defending wise, he helped provide stability at the back with his experience. Calm on the ball, he knew what he was doing and earns himself a B- rating. It will be interesting to see if Lazio keeps him further after this year, as his contract was only signed for one season.

Jordan Lukaku, Lazio’s number one super sub. The Belgian international appeared in 30 games this year for Lazio, 20 in which he was a substitute. The 23-year-old had a decent campaign earning a 6.65 out of 10 on WhoScored.com. He earns himself a B-. Lukaku has tremendous pace on the left side but seems to be a defensive liability at times this year for Lazio. In addition, Lukaku’s time at Lazio may have come to an end as the defender’s contract expires in June.

Wallace, the young Brazilian defender, was brought in for depth for Lazio over two years ago. The 21-year-old appeared in 17 games this year for Lazio, and he scores himself a C+. A defender with a lot of upside and potential to his game, he is currently under contract for another two years.

Patric at 25-years-old, has struggled to find first team playing minutes. With Marusic and Basta to the right, and Lukaku and Lulic to the left, he is essentially a third option to either side. When he did come on, he was not good, but he was not bad. This is why he is given a C+ rating.

Bastos was very poor this year for Lazio. The Angolan born defender appeared in 29 games over the course of the season for the Biancocelesti and was able to score five goals. However, as a defender, his defensive abilities were definitely questioned during the year. He recorded only 4 clean sheets all season. This gives him a C- rating. He is still on contract for another year, in which at the end the club has the option to offer him another year.

 

Midfielders

Luis Alberto of Lazio, Source- Getty Images

Luis Alberto had himself a career-high year in every category. Another fantastic signing by the Lazio management, Alberto came over from Liverpool after being on the bench for years. Alberto and Immobile immediately created an exponential duo up top this year. The Spaniard had 12 goals and 19 assists in 47 games, and he led the Serie A TIM with assists, being the highest rated Lazio player according to WhoScored.Com. He earns himself an A+.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was one of the best center midfielders in Serie A this year. Sergej came over from KRC Genk on a transfer fee of £16.20m in which looks like a total bargain due to his market value of around £100 currently. The Serbian had a great year appearing in 48 games for Lazio while scoring 14 times and assisting 6 goals. Milinkovic-Savic earns himself an A. A year to build on for next season.

Lucas Leiva came over from Liverpool on a fee of around £5.13m. The Brazilian born midfielder had an immense first year, with 4 goals and 5 assists in 49 games this year. He was easily Lazio’s best midfielder in all aspects. Defensively and offensively, Leiva fit perfectly into Inzaghi’s system. He transitioned into the squad and the starting 11 very quickly, and well, and was always a big part of the club success. He earns himself a season rating of an A.

Felipe Anderson had himself a solid campaign. Although the Brazilian did not start off the season too well (after picking up a few knocks and being on the short end of the starting 11), he finished the year appearing in the last 18 of 20 matches for the Biancocelesti . He added to his positive performance throughout the season with 8 goals and 10 assist in 32 games. Anderson picks up an A- season rating. Look for him to have a breakout season next year.

Senad Lulic: every squad needs one of these players on your team. The Bosnian is a heart and soul type of player – every time he is in there for Lazio you know he is going to give you all he has got. Unfortunately his season had to end poorly, being sent off in the final match against Inter, but he earns himself a B+. Lulic, despite his age, appeared in 50 games this year scoring 5 and having assisted 7 times.

Marco Parolo once again put up consistent numbers this year for Lazio. He appeared in his sixth consecutive season for the club, with 30 games played this year. Adding to his season, he had 6 goals and 6 assists. Unfortunately a hamstring injury ended his season early. Parolo picks up a B+: he has always been a solid player for Lazio and will be a huge part for going forward into next year. His contract ends at the end of next season.  

Adam Marusic turned a lot of heads this year. Another solid signing by both Lottito and Tare, Marusic played in 41 games this year for the Biancocelesti. Marusic played a big part this year on both the attacking and defensive side. He played a solid role in Inzaghi’s system. Although he only had 3 goals and 6 assists, Marusic was excellent this year for Lazio. He earns himself a B+ season rating.

Alessandro Murgia had a great 2017/18 campaign. The young Italian appeared in 27 matches this year with over 1400 minutes played. Murgia, a graduate from the Lazio Primavera squad was solid this year in the midfield, bringing a sense of youth to an older midfield. He gets a B rating – a young and upcoming player that could see a lot more playing time in the near future depending on the off-season transfers.

Davide Di Gennaro N/A

 

Attackers

Ciro Immobile of Lazio, Source: FourFourTwo

Ciro Immobile the MVP for Lazio this year. The Italian international had a fantastic year scoring 41 goals and 9 assists in 48 games for Lazio throughout all competitions. Immobile was Lazio’s best player by far. If it was not for him and his goals, we would not have seen Lazio do as well as they did. He went on to win the Capocannoniere and my season rating gives him nothing less than an A+. Immobile was brilliant and will raise a lot of transfer talk over the off-season.  

Nani was brought in at the winter transfer window, and did not do very much for Lazio. He was not liked by the fans, and is not going to be resigned over the off-season. He appeared in 27 games this year for Lazio, having 3 goals and 3 assists. He earns himself a C+.

Felipe Caicedo had himself had poor first season in Lazio this year. The Ecuadorian born striker had 6 goals and 3 assists in 33 games this year for the biancocelesti. Caicedo was great on and off the ball but his finishing ability was non-existent. He gets a C- overall season rating.

 

Coach

Simone Inzaghi of Lazio, Source- Getty Images
Simone Inzaghi of Lazio, Source- Getty Images

Simone Inzaghi earns himself a A-. The Italian manager was fantastic this year coaching the Biancocelesti. He played an outstanding system and coached the team with such great passion and pride. With the players he had, and the circumstances they were within, I give him coach of the year in the Serie A. Looking forward to next season.

Tags Basta Bastos Biancoceleste Biancocelesti Caceres Caicedo Champions Champions League Claudio Lotito de Vrij Di Gennaro Europa Europa League Felipe Anderson immobile Inzaghi Laziale Laziali Lazio Lotito Lucas Leiva Luis Alberto Luiz Felipe Lukaku Lulic Marchetti Marusic Milinkovic-Savic Murgia Nani Parolo Patric Radu Strakosha Vargic Wallace WhoScored WhoScored.com