Lazio have completed the signing of Daniel Maldini from Atalanta, but it will be interesting to see what Maurizio Sarri has in store for the versatile player.
The Background
To no one’s surprise, the Biancocelesti endured an underwhelming first half of the season. After all, the club didn’t make any signings in the summer due to the transfer ban imposed by COVISOC. But after unlocking their market, the fans were hoping for a few solid additions in January, but this hasn’t necessarily been the case.
Lazio have already sold two key players in Taty Castellanos and Matteo Guendouzi, in addition to promising Greek goalkeeper Christos Mandas. On the contrary, their replacements (Petar Ratkov, Kenneth Taylor, and Edoardo Motta) have been considered a downgrade, although it remains too early to judge them.
Therefore, Lazio, who currently sit 9th in the Serie A standings, are unlikely to launch a serious challenge for a Top 6 spot, and this has been illustrated by the odds provided by some of the most reliable bookmakers on NonGamStopBets.uk.
Nevertheless, Maldini’s signing has been unique in the sense that it did not coincide with an exit, even though Tijjani Noslin has been tipped to leave in the coming days. While the Dutchman has been a sort of jack of all trades in the final third, the Italian could be set for a similar role.
What will be Daniel Maldini’s Role at Lazio
Lazio have been on the lookout for a player capable of acting as an understudy for Mattia Zaccagni on the left wing, and Maldini has been Fabiani’s long-time favorite for the role, even though Sarri would have preferred his old pupil, Lorenzo Insigne.
However, the third-generation star might end up filling a more prominent role. Rather than serving as a mere backup for the Lazio captain, the AC Milan youth product could lead the line. According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), the player has already been informed that he’ll be tested as a striker.
Maldini was told: ‘We’re signing you to try and make you a striker.’ Looking at Dia, Noslin, or even Ratkov himself, who will need time to adapt to the coach’s playing style, perhaps Maldini, with his characteristics, could be a better fit for Sarri’s game.
Maldini is originally an attacking midfielder, but has also featured as a second striker and a left winger in his career. Nevertheless, this wouldn’t be the first time Sarri transforms a supporting attacker into a centre-forward, with Dries Mertens serving as the prime example.
