Wesley Hoedt was tipped for great things at Lazio but eventually, the defender moved to Premier League side Southampton in 2017 for a fee in the region of €17 million. Since then, Hoedt has played just 41 times in the Premier League and has spent the last season-and-a-half out on loan, spending six months with Celta Vigo in La Liga in the 18/19 season before joining Belgian First Division side Antwerp for the 19/20 campaign.
Speaking with Gianluca Di Marzio in an Instagram Live interview, Hoedt revealed more about his time with Lazio and his relationship with the past and present staff.
“The Lazio fans have remained in my heart. I have many good memories related to the environment in Rome.
“Simone Inzaghi taught me many things, I have great respect for him. Igli Tare is also very good and then you have the fans, whom I miss a lot.”
“Stefano Pioli had a great approach, I played under him often. In my opinion, he is among the best Italian managers.”
“I remember the derby loss (4-1) well. These are things that should not happen. It was the coach who paid, but us players were to blame.”
“Inzaghi is doing an extraordinary job and I congratulate him. Sometimes we had misunderstandings, but he almost always made me play, so I only have praise for him.”
Hoedt had played 18 times for the Belgian outfit before the season came to a halt, with the side having an option to purchase the Dutchman permanently from the Premier League side. Hoedt signed for Lazio on a free transfer in 2015 from Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar, receiving a Supercoppa Italiana winners medal in 2017 and a part of the side who finished runners up in the 2016/17 Coppa Italia. Additionally, the center-back has 6 caps for the Dutch national team but has not starred for the Oranges since 2017.
