Lazio

Lazio forward Ciro Immobile is currently hospitalized after suffering rib and back injuries during a car crash in Rome.

"Earlier today, following a car accident, footballer Ciro Immobile suffered a spinal distortion injury and a compound fracture of the right XI rib," Lazio said in a statement.

"The condition is currently good. The footballer remains under observation in the emergency medicine department... of the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic in Rome."

Immobile told police his car collided with a tram after the tram allegedly ran a red light. He was traveling with his two daughters in the car.

Seven people in addition to Immobile were taken to the hospital to check on injuries after the crash.

No timetable for his return to soccer has been determined at this time.

If there were any doubts about Francesco Acerbi's credentials as one of the nicest men in Italian football, they were dispelled during the Italy national team's visit to a children's hospital in Rome in mid-October.

Members of Roberto Mancini's squad chatted to patients and their parents during the visit and handed out gifts that included tickets for the team's Euro 2020 qualifier against Greece. But when the time came for the squad to leave the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital and return to the team hotel, Acerbi stayed behind.

The hospital's press officer, Alessandro Iapino, revealed on Twitter that when Acerbi was told the team bus was getting ready to leave, the Lazio defender replied: "I don't care, they can go. I'll take a taxi. But until I finish the tour, I'm not leaving."

As a two-time survivor of testicular cancer, Acerbi is more at home on a hospital ward than most people.

He was first diagnosed with the illness while undergoing a medical examination after signing for Sassuolo in the summer of 2013, aged 25. After undergoing surgery to have a tumour removed, he returned to action with his new team, only for a drugs test failure in December 2013 to reveal irregular hormone levels that turned out to be symptoms of the cancer's return.

The centre-back underwent chemotherapy between January and March 2014 before returning to first-team action with Sassuolo at the end of October that same year, having continued to train with his team-mates throughout his treatment. The determination and good humour that he exhibited during his convalescence turned him into an icon for Sassuolo's supporters and won him admirers across the country.

"He was very brave and an example for people who have the same disease. He was a 'lion', as he likes to call himself," says Luca Bizzarri, a sports photographer and Sassuolo fan who got to know Acerbi during the defender's five-year spell at the club.

"It was sudden news. No one expected it. The disease kept him far from the squad for a long time, but when he returned he got a great welcome from the fans."

When Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic revealed that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia in July, Acerbi responded with an Instagram post in which he urged the former Lazio centre-back to "be brave" and fight the illness "head on."

Acerbi has spoken candidly about the psychological consequences of his own illness, saying in a recent interview with La Reppublica (h/t Football Italia) that although he is no longer "scared" by the thought of the cancer returning, it is a world that "you never leave." He remains attentive to his mental health and holds weekly video calls with a psychoanalyst based in Modena, continuing a routine that began during his time at Sassuolo.

In his interview with La Repubblica, Acerbi also opened up about his difficult six-month spell at AC Milan in 2012, during which he fell into depression over the death of his father and turned to alcohol to numb the pain.

"After my father died, when I was playing for Milan, I hit rock bottom," he said. "It was as if I'd forgotten how to play, or why I was playing. I started drinking and, believe me, I'd drink anything. It might seem like a terrible paradox, but the cancer saved me. I had something new to fight against, a limit to overcome. It was as if I got to start life all over again and saw the world in a way I'd completely forgotten."

Even accounting for the rigidly stratified loyalties of Italian club football, Acerbi's openness has earned him universal admiration.

"It's quite unusual to get players of that elite level opening up and talking about their issues while they're still playing," says Alasdair Mackenzie, a Rome-based sports journalist.

"It's even more unusual in Italy, and for a Lazio player, because of the control the clubs like to have around their players on what they're saying in public. I don't think he really cares about that stuff anymore. I think he wants to get his story out there to try and inspire people."

The Italy team's visit to a children's hospital was so important to two-time cancer survivor @Acerbi_Fra that he was willing to miss the team bus 💙 pic.twitter.com/xSe0lonN58

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 12, 2019

Despite the grave nature of his previous health problems, Acerbi is renowned for being a joker, using his Instagram account to document the pranks he pulls on his Lazio team-mates and to make jokes at his own expense. Bizzarri describes him as a "sunny," "open" and "very popular" person who always found time to speak to supporters.

If Acerbi's return to top-level football after his cancer diagnoses was a remarkable achievement, what followed stretched the bounds of credulity even further. Between October 2015 and January 2019, he made 149 consecutive appearances in all competitions (remaining on the pitch for every minute of every game) and would have broken Javier Zanetti's all-time Italian record of 162 successive matches had it not been for a contentious red card that he received during Lazio's 2-1 defeat at Napoli at the start of this year. In 2017, he played more minutes in Serie A than any other outfield player.

Of course, Acerbi would not have been selected with such regularity by a succession of coaches at two different clubs if he was not a very talented footballer. He was signed by Lazio in July 2018 to plug the hole created by Stefan de Vrij's departure to Inter Milan, and it says everything about Acerbi's impact that, as vital a cog as De Vrij was during his four seasons in Rome, the Biancocelesti have actually become a more defensively robust side since the Dutch international left.

A tall, physically imposing centre-back, Acerbi built his reputation upon a solid defensive approach on the ground and in the air, but as the central defender in Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi's preferred 3-5-2 formation, his leadership qualities and ball-playing ability have also come to the fore. Typically aligned alongside Romanian veteran Stefan Radu and Brazilian youngster Luiz Felipe, Acerbi has started every league game this season and has marshalled a back line that has been breached on only 16 occasions—a statistic bettered only by leaders Inter (14).

National team coach Mancini turned to Acerbi for September's games against Armenia and Finland when Giorgio Chiellini succumbed to a serious knee injury, and the 31-year-old played his part in helping Italy rubber-stamp qualification for Euro 2020, notably scoring his first international goal—a striker's turn and finish with his weaker right foot—in a 3-0 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina in November.

With characteristic self-deprecation, Acerbi played down the importance of his role in Italy's success, emphasising his position as a mere understudy to the absent Chiellini and declaring that the squad were waiting "with open arms" for the Juventus stalwart to return. But for all the romance that inevitably clings to his story, it is the cold, hard currencies of form and consistency that have earned him his place at the heart of the Azzurri defence.

"The narrative around him is dominated by the two-time cancer survivor story, because it's a very good one and very emotive, but he's doing what he's doing on merit," says Mackenzie.

"He's stepping in for Chiellini because he is the best Italian defender at the moment. And he's been absolutely integral to Lazio challenging at the top of Serie A ever since he arrived. He gets a lot of support for his backstory, but he backs it up on the pitch as well."

Lazio's 2-1 win away to Cagliari on Monday extended their winning run to eight Serie A games and left them only three points behind leaders Inter and second-place Juventus. With an unexpected title challenge and a potential first major tournament experience with Italy on the horizon in 2020, Acerbi has plenty to look forward to.

Lazio President Claudio Lotito has hinted that reported Manchester United target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could seal a transfer soon, saying he won't get in the way of a player's aspirations. 

Speaking to Leggo, Lotito outlined his ambitions for the club, stating it's important to keep players satisfied  (h/t Football Italia):

"I've created a family vibe here. If someone posed me a problem over career satisfaction, I'm ready to satisfy them.

"The objective is to become one of those clubs who are a point of reference in Europe, and there are 12 of them today.

"Still, it's normal for a top player to have aspirations of wanting to play for a great club. We still haven't got to that stage, but should a player come to me like a son then I'd find it unfair to deprive them of such an opportunity.

"Furthermore, if you want to maintain a harmonious atmosphere, you must try to please your players."

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), the two clubs have already agreed a fee, and the Serb's agent is in Manchester to negotiate terms.

The fee for Milinkovic-Savic will reportedly consist of €75 million up front, plus €5 million in bonuses that are easy to achieve and an additional €10 million for tougher bonuses. 

Milinkovic-Savic's arrival could potentially open the door for the departure of Paul Pogba, who expressed a desire to leave the club earlier this summer.

Like Pogba, Milinkovic-Savic is coming off a somewhat disappointing season, but that hasn't depressed his value, according to sports writer David Amoyal:

Despite coming off disappointing seasons, it will take an offer of at least €80 million to get Juve & Lazio’s attentions for Dybala & Milinkovic Savic respectively- look for PSG & Man United as potential destinations for them

— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) July 24, 2019

The 24-year-old scored five Serie A goals last season but had 12 in the 2017-18 campaign. He stands out for his versatility, scoring potential, vision and soft feet, while he's also good in the air at 6'2". 

United have yet to make a big splash in the summer market, signing 21-year-old talents Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James but not pulling the trigger on a big name from Europe.

Milinkovic-Savic could be that star fans have been hoping for, adding talent to a midfield unit that needs it. Any resulting Pogba exit should bring in a nice transfer fee as well, opening the door for more arrivals.

Lazio won the 2019 Coppa Italia after beating Atalanta 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.

Goals from substitute Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Joaquin Correa proved enough for manager Simone Inzaghi's players to earn victory on the pitch they share with capital-city rivals AS Roma.

Big players show up on big occasions 👊

Lucas Leiva with the corner, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a THUMPING header!

Lazio lead in the Coppa Italia final and just look at the scenes in the Stadio Olimpico 😮 pic.twitter.com/FCTtEMpMev

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 15, 2019

Joaquin Correa, a one-man counter-attack, has just secured the Coppa Italia for Lazio 🦅

Pandemonium in Rome. pic.twitter.com/ysKOQ0wSUT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 15, 2019

The win also means Lazio have claimed the trophy for a seventh time after a final in which physical and resolute defending stifled Atalanta's free-flowing football.

Lazio weren't afraid to subject Atalanta to some rough treatment. The latter have been an enterprising side this season but struggled to get on track amid a flurry of heavy challenges.

Of all those left with a mark of two, artful wide player Josip Ilicic was subjected to the most brutal fare. He was felled by several opposition players, as Lazio appeared to be taking turns to nullify the 31-year-old's considerable threat.

Senad Lulic was among the Lazio players to be shown a yellow card as one of the more relentless of Ilicic's pursuers. Tempers began to flare as the match descended into scrappy exchanges all over the pitch, particularly at the heart of midfield.

If this first half in the #CoppaItalia final is anything to go by. @OfficialSSLazio and @Atalanta_BC with finish with 10 men each, both teams will be shattered after 60 minutes and it will end up at a penalty shoot out, where everyone will be too tired to take them. pic.twitter.com/sJlGakQ3cu

— Richard Hall (@RichHall80) May 15, 2019

Someone is definitely getting sent off if this continues in the Coppa Italia final. Nerves are getting to both Lazio and Atalanta.

— Mina Rzouki (@Minarzouki) May 15, 2019

Even with their best player shackled, Atalanta went closest to scoring during a dour first half. Skipper Alejandro Gomez hit the post, Ilicic saw his follow-up effort blocked and then Duvan Zapata sliced wide from close range.

It was a rare moment of goalmouth action during what was a turgid half.

Atalanta 0-0 Lazio HT: It's goalless at the break in the Coppa Italia final and Atalanta are the only side to have had an attempt on target https://t.co/ZRLUW7iwrW pic.twitter.com/cGtsl083UE

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 15, 2019

Atalanta remained the most forward-thinking of the two teams after the restart. Gomez clipped the woodwork again, while raiding right-back Timothy Castagne drew a solid save from Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Stakosha.

Despite being under increasing pressure, Inzaghi's men kept their shape well and didn't hesitate to break up play with some cynical challenges. It wasn't the most sporting plan, nor the most aesthetic performance, but the intent was clear as Lazio waited to make the most of rare opportunities.

The moment came when Milinkovic-Savic emerged from the bench to replace Spanish schemer Luis Alberto. He's endured a campaign disrupted by injury, but Milinkovic-Savic was strong enough to rise highest and meet a corner from former Liverpool man Lucas Leiva eight minutes from time.

He hasn't been at his best this season, but the Serbia international midfield powerhouse has always been a force in the air.

Massively underrated part of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s game is his size at set pieces. Atalanta didn’t change their marking & he’s made them pay. Superb header

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) May 15, 2019

Milinkovic-Savic has also made a habit of punishing Atalanta:

4 - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has scored four goals against Atalanta, his best victim for Lazio (all competitions). Focus. #TimCup #AtalantaLazio

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 15, 2019

The goal tightened Lazio's grip on the cup and their stranglehold on open play. They were now able to sit deep, invite a desperate Atalanta side forward and strike on the break.

Having committed too many men forward for a corner, Atalanta were left short when Correa chased down a long punt out of the box, before ending a sensational solo run with a thumping finish. 

A 2-0 scoreline was harsh on Atalanta, but Lazio's pragmatic approach had paid off. Immobile, Milinkovic-Savic, Correa and the rest were just a little more streetwise than Gian Piero Gasperini's entertainers.

   

What's Next?

Atalanta return to league action on Sunday, 19 May for a tricky trip to face champions Juventus in Turin, while Lazio host Bologna the next day.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has signed a new five-year contract at Lazio, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023 amid a swell of rumours linking him with Premier League powerhouses. The new contract reportedly contains no release clause.

Lazio announced the news Monday via their official website (statement in Italian). Football Italia confirmed the Serbia star, along with team-mate Ciro Immobile, had each agreed to new deals; the playmaker's previous contract expired in 2022.

Milinkovic-Savic's new terms are said to be worth €3 million (£2.6 million) per year plus bonuses. Mirror Sport reported Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all had scouts in place to watch him score in Sunday's 4-1 win over Genoa, while Manchester United have also been linked.

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare was quoted in late September and sounded confident of the club's most prized asset prolonging his stay at the Stadio Olimpico, per Goal:

More woe for Jose! Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is set to snub Manchester United! #MUFC https://t.co/PHfwrn5PGf pic.twitter.com/acrBqGOfTq

— GOAL (@goal) September 21, 2018

The 23-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career thus far last term and was a fundamental cog in firing Lazio to fifth in Serie A as well as winning the Italian Supercup and reaching the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.

Lazio president Claudio Lotito told Il Tempo (h/t Football Italia) after the transfer window he had rejected a substantial offer for his star man—but he promised coach Simone Inzaghi that he wouldn't take the money:

I made a pact with the coach that I wouldn’t sell him over the summer. 

We received a very big offer for him a day before the market shut and we had a plan to replace him, but there wasn’t enough time.

Some well-meaning people decided to bring the deadline forward in my absence, but the League has opened itself to damage, taking away the possibility of doing deals until August 31 like in Spain or France.

When a bid arrives on August 17 and the market shuts a day later, I couldn’t sell him, above all for the promise I made to the coach: I honour the promises I make.

Lotito continued to say the bid was "obscene," one he said "no-one else in Italy could’ve refused."

Meanwhile, the player's agent, ex-Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, said Milinkovic-Savic was motivated to stay in Rome, per Eleven Sports:

Good news for @OfficialSSLazio fans - Milinković-Savić's agent Mateja Kežman says he is committed to the club: "He could have earned a lot more elsewhere. He was offered €8million in France. He stayed because he wants to bring the Champions League to Lazio."#ForzaLazio #SerieA pic.twitter.com/9SF0FLz1r9

— ELEVEN Football (@ElevenSportsFB) September 7, 2018

The absence of a release clause means there is no set amount a club can bid at which Lazio are forced to allow their player to negotiate a transfer, and only at their discretion should any talks now materialise.

Lotito added that only time would tell if his decision to reject such a sizeable offer would pay off, but the club have clearly displayed their belief in the Serb star with a new deal nonetheless.

Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will sign a new contract with the club in a "matter of days," according to the team's sporting director Igli Tare.

The Serb was linked with an exit throughout the summer transfer window following an exceptional 2017-18 campaign for the capital club. However, Lazio were able to keep the player beyond the transfer deadline.

It now appears the Serie A side are set to secure not only the future of Milinkovic-Savic, but also star forward Ciro Immobile. Tare was asked about both players signing new deals by Sky Sport Italia (h/t Chris Burton of Goal).

"It's just a matter of days now," he said. "All will be signed at the start of next week. The agreements have been in place for some time now."

As Burton noted, some of the biggest clubs in European football have been linked with the midfielder, including Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Kaustubh Pandey of Calciomercato.com, Juventus made an offer worth €80 million (£72 million) for the Serbia star, although Lazio rejected the approach. Pandey also noted that Chelsea and Real Madrid showed an interest in the player.

Lazio came close to securing a UEFA Champions League spot last season in Serie A, as they finished the campaign as the top scorers in the competition. However, they were ousted by Inter Milan late on, prompting questions as to whether they would be able to keep hold of their major attacking assets.

Getting both Milinkovic-Savic and Immobile tied down to new contracts would be a huge boost as a result.

Per WhoScored.com, both players were vital to Simone Inzaghi's side being such a threat in the final third last season:

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: No player scored more goals from outside of the box than Milinkovic-Savic (5) of those aged 23 and under in Europe's top 5 leagues last season

For more player stats -- https://t.co/n0ZDG5t7XT pic.twitter.com/FTZxgOipKb

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) August 13, 2018

Fewest minutes per goal in Serie A last season (10+ goals):

1. Ciro Immobile - every 92.7 mins
2. Mauro Icardi - every 102.3 mins
3. Paulo Dybala - every 107.5 mins
4. Fabio Quagliarella - every 143.8 mins
5. Patrick Cutrone - every 151.1 mins pic.twitter.com/2x0JIOiXeX

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 1, 2018

Of the two, it's Milinkovic-Savic who has been the subject of the most transfer speculation, as there aren't many midfielders like him in world football.

While there are times when his desire to impress and create does see him lose possession, he's a positive force in the middle of the pitch. Milinkovic-Savic can tackle, can drive forward with the ball and has shown throughout his time in Serie A that he is productive when he does end up in dangerous areas.

Still, as Scouted Football noted, he did struggle for Serbia in midfield at the FIFA World Cup:

Tonight exemplified some of Sergej Milinković-Savić's limitations.

In a deep midfield role, he struggled to readjust against Brazil's sharp interplay and movements; his passing was slow, passive and limited. He consistently shirked responsibility in Serbia's build-up phase. pic.twitter.com/QgHrDnntNQ

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) June 27, 2018

Despite a new contract seemingly being imminent for the 23-year-old, the speculation about his future will continue to rumble on if he impresses in 2018-19 again. He's had a quiet start to the current campaign, with no goals or assists in the first four matches in Serie A.

After a busy summer at the World Cup and a long 2017-18 with Lazio, it may take Milinkovic-Savic some time to hit top gear again. Lazio fans will hope an extension can be a catalyst for that upturn in form.

The agent of Lazio star and reported Paris Saint-Germain transfer target Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has confirmed the midfielder turned down a huge offer from France and is now close to signing a new contract with the capital club. 

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), Mateja Kezman said "interesting offers" were presented to Lazio. According to the report, one of those likely came from PSG.

He then opened up on the player's relationship with the club:

"Many were looking for Sergej this summer, and a few interesting offers were presented to Lazio.

"In the end we accepted the club's decision without any problems. [President Claudio] Lotito and [sporting director Igli] Tare explained to us that they want the Champions League and Milinkovic is a key player in reaching that goal.

"That's his objective, too. He could have earned a lot more elsewhere, he was offered €8 million in France.

[...] "We have an excellent relationship with Lotito and Tare, they're two passionate men who live by and for Lazio.

"There were offers, but we never pushed for a transfer because he's happy in Rome. He loves the city and and has a good relationship with all his teammates.

"With the club we've agreed on a new deal that will be signed very soon. If you can pay €70-80 million for a goalkeeper then Sergej isn't worth less than €100 million."

The Serbian was linked with several clubs throughout the summer including PSG. Jamie Smith of Goal added Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus to the mix.

It now seems he's destined to sign a contract extension containing a buyout clause that could be worth €150 million, per the report.

The 23-year-old was one of Serie A's top stars last season, earning praise for his versatile skill set and tremendous production. He scored 12 goals in the top flight, doing most of his work from an advanced position in midfield.

Milinkovic-Savic is frequently compared to Paul Pogba due to his blend of size, athleticism, footwork and scoring ability. Tifo Football produced a profile on the rising star:

Unfortunately for interested clubs, the Serbia international seems happy in Rome, and Lazio have so far maintained they have no intention of selling. 

The buyout clause will almost surely be a fee well above €100 million, making a transfer even more difficult. Lazio aren't known for selling on the cheap, and a new deal would give them all the leverage in exit talks.

Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic will reportedly soon be handed a new contract at the club.

According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com), the club has met with the player's agent, Mateja Kezman, to discuss a five-year contract worth in the region of €3.2 million per season.

The midfielder has attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus, and it's said the deal may include a release clause.

The news follows a Tuttosport report that Kezman has been told by Lazio President Claudio Lotito that his client will be allowed to leave the club next summer (h/t Calciomercato). If that is the case, the new deal may not lengthen his stay in Rome.

It will strengthen Lazio's position if and when his suitors come calling, though. Given the 23-year-old's ability, it may not be too long until that happens.

Milinkovic-Savic is entering his fourth season as a regular for Lazio, and over the past two years, his star has risen considerably thanks to some consistently strong performances.

The midfielder is productive in front of goal, as OptaPaolo highlighted:

16 & 10 - Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been the youngest player to reach the double figures of both goals (16) and assists (10) in the last two Serie A seasons. Future.

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) July 24, 2018

While the attacking side of his game is perhaps the strongest, he's an all-rounder who can do everything you need in midfield.

He will use his physicality to win duels on the ground and in the air, he helps out defensively and he can drive the team forward by beating opponents in the middle of the pitch.

Football commentator Derek Rae is among many predicting a bright future for Milinkovic-Savic:

By the way, if you weren’t up early in the USA to watch Serbia, or have never seen Sergei Milinković-Savić, catch him next time. Think we’re looking at player who could very soon be one of the world’s finest.

— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) June 17, 2018

If he does go on to fulfil his potential, it's difficult to imagine him remaining at Lazio long term without silverware or UEFA Champions League football on offer.

He will be a costly purchase, though, and any release clause in any deal he signs at the club will likely reflect his increasing value in an inflated market.

Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly been given a guarantee by club president Claudio Lotito that he can leave the club next summer amid rumours he is wanted by Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. 

According to Tuttosport (h/t Calciomercato.com), the Serbia international's agent, Mateja Kezman, has been assured by Lotito taht his client will be allowed to leave next year.

However, Lotito has held firm on his €150 million (£134.7 million) valuation of the midfielder, so that demand may still need to be met next year for his admirers to secure his signature.

Milinkovic-Savic has generated plenty of interest after emerging as a star in Italian football in recent years. Last season, he helped himself to 14 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

WhoScored.com shared his Serie A statistics from last year:

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic vs Marek Hamsik

Which midfielder would you rather have in your side?

🔁 = Milinkovic-Savic
❤️ = Hamsik pic.twitter.com/H5ZdwrWJUV

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) August 18, 2018

Italian football expert James Horncastle selected him as one of the league's top performers:

As for Serie A player of the year, Icardi was top scorer but didn’t score in 18 games last season… Mertens didn’t hit the same heights as the previous season. Best players were Alisson and Milinkovic, possibly Costa for second half of the season

— James Horncastle OMRI (@JamesHorncastle) July 25, 2018

If he can continue to replicate that kind of form each year, the 23-year-old will have a bright future—it will only be a matter of time until he's turning out for one of Europe's elite.

There will always be a market for players at the highest level who can make incisive contributions going forward and help out defensively in equal measure.

His price tag appears to have proved prohibitive this summer, but another strong campaign would make it easier for clubs to justify splashing the cash on him next year.