Following his side’s 2-0 victory away at Chievo on Sunday afternoon, Lazio coach Edy Reja took time to heap praise on Keita Balde Diao as well as commenting on the Biancocelesti’s transfer business.
The 18 year old forward played an instrumental role in his sides performance against the Gialloblu, providing an assist and a goal in a performance which showed maturity well beyond his tender years.
“I knew about Keita’s talent two years ago, he is a player who has continued to grow,” Reja told Rai Sport.
“If he can maintain the right level of humility and work hard, even defensively, he can do very well.”
The coach also commented on the departure of star midfielder Hernanes saying “The Brazilian is a very important player, albeit for Inter and I must work with the players I have at the moment.
Reja was also asked if he thought that the ten players who turned Lazio down during the Mercato regret their decision.
“I hope so, but it wasn’t ten,” he continued. “It was a joke, there was five or six of them who after consideration preferred a move in June.”
“It’s a shame they turned down the transfers but if we work well with the present team we can expect some good performances.”
With regards to next week’s Rome Derby the 60 year old coach felt his defence was improving.
“I hope that Roma will have a tough game against Napoli in the upcoming Coppa Italia,” he stated. “This year they are lethal on the counter attack but my defence is getting better and better.”
Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter: @LH_Ramon25
