After being abandoned by Luis Alberto Lazio’s number ten could soon have a new owner. With the sale of the magician to Al Duhail, Lazio not only lost the most talented player, but also that right mix of genius and recklessness that for eight years enchanted Serie A and beyond. The period without the owner of number ten, however, may not last long, indeed it may end shortly with a transition from “diez” to “tien”. In fact, the Biancocelesti are very close to Calvin Stengs, a quality Feyenoord midfielder who faced them in the two Champions League matches in the group stage last season. Fabiani has been working for several days with the Raiola team to understand Feyenoord’s requests and yesterday there was the first real opening. The Dutch are lowering their demands and are getting ever closer to Lazio’s offer. The distance is minimal, we are in the order of two million bonuses included and next week Fabiani plans to close to calm an environment that yesterday made his voice heard with over 7000 people outside the Flaminio.
Who is Stengs
Returning to the Feyenoord midfielder, Stengs it is a “tien”, a Dutch ten that is more cerebral and less ingenious than the Spanish-style “diez” represented by Luis Alberto. Having arrived in Rotterdam last summer, eight goals and 18 assists in his first year at Feyenoord demonstrate that he has plenty of talent. Part midfielder, part attacking midfielder and part attacking winger, Stengs can represent a perfect wildcard for Baroni, who yesterday in Formello gave his green light for the Dutchman’s arrival. Stengs has more physicality than Luis Alberto, as demonstrated by his 85m height and he sacrifices more than the Spaniard. What is missing compared to the “diez” is that stroke of genius, on the other hand his left foot is extremely polite but it is not Luis’ right foot. For Lazio, however, Stengs is the right name to take up the magician’s legacy and the decisive move for the closure could arrive in the next few days.
