Lazio Sporting Director Angelo Fabiani stole the headlines with his interesting choice of words when discussing Mason Greenwood.
The Biancocelesti were embroiled in the race for the services of the former Manchester United star, but it was Olympique Marseille who prevailed in the end. However, Fabiani didn’t take the player’s decision well, branding the Englishman a ‘mercenary’ in his interview with Lazio Style Channel (Via La Lazio Siamo Noi).
We wanted to sign him last summer. This year, an agent presented us with the idea of signing Greenwood and a huge bidding war ensued, which could have lasted up to a certain limit. We offered £22 million pounds plus 50% sell-on fee. But he preferred another route.
In life, the best deals are the ones you don’t make. I want players like Rovella, Cataldi, Zaccagni, who are tied to the club. On the other hand, these mercenaries are like traps. I could sell myself for an extra €50 but I wouldn’t be a man. This is what my parents taught me. So we wish Greenwood the best of luck.
Aside from his controversial words on Greenwood, Fabiani also weighed in on several other topics. For instance, he explained how the age factor was behind his decision to snub James Rodriguez.
I would never take James. He is a 33 and in recent years he has never made it past 12 or 13 games per season. He played very well in the last Copa America. But signing him for one or two years would go against all logic.
With all due respect to the player, we need to make 360-degree evaluations in terms of age and minutes played. We prefer other options. Many names that you read in the newspapers are conveyed by their agents. Not even Fabiani knows some of the players in question.
The Lazio Director also discussed the captaincy which caused some stir over the past few days. The club has chosen Mattia Zaccagni as Ciro Immobile’s successor, and Fabiani invites Danilo Cataldi and the rest of the locker to accept the decision with grace.
To command you have to know how to obey. This is not a concept addressed to Cataldi, who deserves respect and esteem. What I mean is that we’re undergoing a change in the modus operandi, at the management level, in technical staff, and in terms of future concepts.
Whether we’re right or wrong, history will tell. We all need to be within this concept. Lazio must reclaim its identity. The footballer is an employee of the club and must work for those who love the Biancocelesti.
Talks about James missing too many games, how about Gaetano Castrovilli who played even less lately?! lol Just admit that we have no money for such players.
Castrovili is what, 27? There’s a difference. And he could be fine and smash it. Let’s give him a chance bro.
About this..article which is informative and every emotion is there (good and bad) what people might not know is Fabiani knows Cancellieri is leaving, Basic is probably leaving too and hopefully Fares and other deadwood bring in another 25-30 mil and we than get not only Roque but another player x
Ok maybe I exaggerated and we get like 20-23 mil total
What Fabiani said is simply bullshit.
As he said, footballer is an employee of the club, what is wrong for players like Greenwood to opt for a club which is willing to provide a better wage when the role he is going to play is the same?
Unwilling to spend is the root problem, Lotito loves to pretend he is smart enough in every negotiation. We fail to produce our own youth stars in the recent years and always rely on gambling on low cost solutions. Our team lack the depth of qualified players but full of deadwood.