Why Maurizio Sarri Could Reinstate Returning Lazio Duo | OneFootball

Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri may decide to keep Matteo Cancellieri and Danilo Cataldi among his ranks for the 2025/26 campaign.

The Background

While the Biancocelesti are incapable of making any new signings due to a transfer ban imposed by COVISOC, they can still sell players, as evidenced by Loum Tchaouna’s move to Burnley. In recent days, club president Claudio Lotito and sporting director Angelo Fabiani confirmed the plan to trim the squad from 30 to 20 first-team players.

Matteo Cancellieri & Danilo Cataldi Could Return to the Fold

But while many believed that the list transfer list would include Cancellieri and Cataldi, Il Corriere dello Sport (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) believes that the Italian duo might be able to crawl their way back to Sarri’s squad. The two players had spent the previous campaign on loan at Parma and Fiorentina, respectively, but these two clubs opted against buying them.

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As the source explains, Cancellieri’s future at Lazio will largely hinge on Tijjani Noslin’s fate. If the versatile Dutch forward is to be sold, Sarri would need an extra player in his attacking department. And since the club cannot sign anyone new, keeping the former Hellas Verona man would be the best viable solution.

Cataldi Could Be Matteo Guendouzi’s Understudy

The report also notes that Sarri currently has five midfielders in his ranks vying for three playing roles (Matteo Guendouzi, Nicolo Rovella, Matias Vecino, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Reda Belahyane). Therefore, the 66-year-old feels that this department is lacking a replacement for Guendouzi in the box-to-box role, so trusting Cataladi would be his best bet at the moment.

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The Lazio youth product has served in various midfield roles throughout his career. Regardless of the imperfect circumstances, the 30-year-old’s return would at least please the Lazio supporters, as he remains a fan favorite at the Stadio Olimpico.