Serie A: ‘He should be playing for Real Madrid’ – Gattuso hails Arsenal flop
Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso has expressed confidence in Nuno Tavares, the former Arsenal player, stating that he possesses “everything necessary” to excel at Real Madrid.
Tavares, who joined Arsenal from Benfica for £8 million in July 2021, faced challenges during his initial season under manager Mikel Arteta, limiting his impact at the club. As a result, he was loaned to Ligue 1 team Marseille the following summer. Subsequently, he had loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Lazio before the Italian club secured his permanent transfer from Arsenal a year ago.
During his tenure with Lazio, Tavares has made 28 appearances across all competitions, contributing to the team’s ninth-place finish in Serie A during a tumultuous season that concluded with Maurizio Sarri’s departure from the club by mutual agreement.
Since taking over from Sarri, Gattuso has guided Lazio to an impressive start to the new season, with the team currently leading the league after winning three and drawing one of their first four matches. Tavares has been a regular starter, underscoring Gattuso’s high regard for the Portugal international.
“I have always maintained that Tavares deserves to be at Real Madrid,” Gattuso, a 2006 World Cup winner with Italy, told DAZN. He went on to emphasize Tavares’s potential, stating, “This is a player who should be at Real Madrid. He possesses all the attributes: speed, a strong right foot, and a capable left foot.”
