Marco Parolo suggested that Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has no burning desire to leave Lazio and spoke highly of Maurizio Sarri’s project in Rome.
The 63-year-old Italian coach has started his second year in charge of the Biancocelesti and things are going well, with the team looking more solid defensively whilst still managing to prove dangerous going forward. Despite a few slip-ups, like the 5-1 loss to FC Midjylland or the 0-0 draw with Sampdoria, early signs are very encouraging.
Speaking to Radiosei (via LazioNews24), Parolo first discussed Sarri’s project at Lazio and their work in the summer transfer window.
In my opinion this is Sarri’s Lazio. No more comparisons with Napoli. With the arrival of Vecino he had a player of great balance that allows him to have an asset on the bench like Luis Alberto.
The youngsters Cancellieri and Marcos Antonio must grow. Provedel and Romagnoli are intelligent and experienced players and they finished a department that has already improved since Sarri’s first year.
I’m thinking of Marusic and Lazzari, as well as Patric, who have made great strides. Cataldi himself has grown a lot in defensive readings.
He spoke highly about his former teammate Ciro Immobile.
He has reached such maturity that he couldn’t give a damn about his surroundings. I noticed this in the interview we conducted with him.
Ciro has the numbers on his side, people can talk, but in the end only numbers count. I think he’s very calm.
Immobile’s problem in the national team also no, thank goodness that he is there, in the national team.
The former Lazio midfielder reflected on his decision to retire last year.
I stopped at the right time, taking the satisfaction of playing and scoring in the Champions League. I’m happy to have retired at Lazio, of a path made by reaching the pinnacle of my footballing level.
Once I stopped, the affection of the Lazio people was fundamental in making me realise that this was the right choice. I have a lot of calmness about it.
I wanted to appear in photos with the Cups in my hands, my goal was to win, ever since I set foot in Formello and saw the trophy cabinet.
I always tried to put myself next to the captain to get in the photo after the finals I won! You end up in the giant picture at Formello, and you’re in history.
A comeback? Impossible, I wouldn’t be professional because I have too strong a bond with my former teammates.
Finally, Parolo discussed the situation and the transfer market rumours surrounding Milinkovic-Savic.
At Lazio when there is someone who wants to leave, legitimately, it’s difficult to think that the player respects the project.
Milinkovic-Savic has never made statements like ‘I want to leave’. He married the project, he is the prototype of the player who is comfortable in Rome.
The environment tends to exalt players, we know that.
Milinkovic-Savic was heavily linked with a move away in the summer, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain both interested in picking him up.
He ultimately stayed with the club and president Claudio Lotito is now hoping to tie him down with a new contract.