Serie A: ‘He Should Be Playing For Real Madrid’ – Gattuso Hails Arsenal Flop

Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso has praised former Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares, saying the Portuguese left-back has everything required to play for Real Madrid.

Arsenal signed Tavares from Benfica for £8 million in July 2021, but he struggled to establish himself under Mikel Arteta during his first season at the Emirates.

The defender was subsequently sent on loan to Marseille, followed by spells at Nottingham Forest and Lazio before the Italian club made his move permanent last year.

Tavares made 28 appearances for Lazio across all competitions last season as the club finished ninth in Serie A during a difficult campaign that ended with Maurizio Sarri leaving his position.

Gattuso, who replaced Sarri, has made an impressive start to the new season, with Lazio winning three and drawing one of their opening four league matches to move to the top of the table.

Tavares has started three of those four games, showing that Gattuso has placed significant trust in the Portugal international.

“I have always maintained that Tavares deserves to be at Real Madrid,” Gattuso told DAZN. “He reminds me of someone who lost their parents at a young age, inherited a fortune, and squandered it all within five years.”

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“This is a player who slahould be at Real Madrid. He possesses all the attributes: speed, a strong right foot, and a capable left foot,” Gattuso added, highlighting the qualities he believes could make Tavares suitable for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.