Nicolo Rovella: The Regista Turned Destroyer

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The importance placed on the defensive midfield position has arguably never been higher. The role’s most outstanding player, Rodri, won this year’s Ballon D’Or whilst the likes of João Neves, Amadou Onana, João Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte transferred for fees of €50 million or more in the summer window. Fortunately for Lazio, their own defensive midfield option Nicolò Rovella has been a revelation this season and is threatening become the kind of player so coveted by the top teams in Europe.

Breakthrough at Genoa

Rovella emerged at Genoa as a deep lying playmaker in the midst of a chaotic era at the club. Read this breakdown of his time there for a full picture of his early career. After a big money move to Juventus, he was then seemingly cast aside by the Turin club. Not considered good enough to break into their first team a loan to Monza followed by a two-year loan to Lazio with a obligation to buy under certain circumstances.