They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. One can only hope the 21-year-old bad apple can emulate just half of the good his bad-boy precursor did in Rome.
Paul Gascoigne touched down in Rome in late summer 1992 after 16 months on the shelf recuperating from a knee injury.
The former Tottenham midfielder’s arrival at Lazio had been delayed thanks to that injury, but when the new Lazio No. 10 debuted on September 27, fans were not disappointed.
Though he wasn’t able to find the focus he truly needed in his three season with Lazio and off-field problems plagued his time with the Biancocelesti, his legacy was cemented.
Now nearly 23 years later, another troubled Englishman is embarking on a career with Lazio. At only 21, Lazio will be Morrison’s sixth club when he suits up for Serie A’s current fifth place team next season.
The England Under-21 was once hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as the most talented youngster he had ever coached. High praise from a man that won everything in the game and coached a who’s who list of greats.
But Morrison’s troubled past and attitude seem to have dogged him wherever he has gone. Currently, Morrison is training with West Ham’s U-21’s after Cardiff City — where he had been on loan — sent him back.
The midfielder is now set to exorcise those demons as last week he and Lazio agreed a pre-contract. The four-year deal will see Morrison become only the second Englishman to play for the Biancocelesti. Morrison has all the tools: fantastic finisher, deft passer and skillful with the ball at his feet. But his skills have never been under question, just his attitude.
Currently Lazio have some outstanding players capable of playing in their midfield. Marco Parolo, Cristian Ledesma and Antonio Candreva are just three currently fighting for spots each week. Stefano Pioli will at least have choices when Morrison does suit up in his new No. 4 shirt.
Helping Morrison’s cause is the fact that he is expected to begin intensive Italian lessons this month. Not only will it help immensely with his communication with coaches and teammates, but it shows a player trying to adapt to his new life as the 21-year-old tries to already resurrect a teetering career.
While Morrison has been unwanted by West Ham coach Sam Allardyce and Cardiff City’s Russell Slade, Lazio coach Pioli has expressed his excitement for the youngsters arrival.
“He is a quality player, I think that is obvious. He has lots of strength and can change pace,” Pioli said in an interview with Tutto Mercato Web about Morrison’s ability.
Despite Pioli’s praise, it’s anyone’s guess how three of English football’s top coaches couldn’t get through to the Mancunian. Ferguson, Harry Redknapp and Allardyce all had difficulties taming the talented youngster’s attitude.
The question will be, how can Pioli succeed where others have already failed? To make things even more difficult, Morrison will be in a new country, speaking a new language and playing a style of football different than the one he has coming from.
If Lazio’s new No.4 can muster up just half of what Lazio’s old No.10 did, then Pioli will surely consider it a success.
learning italian may be a bit ambitious, he can barely speak english