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.