EVE STO PISUVA NA GOAL.COM ZA PANDEV I ROKI
Lazio Must Hang On To Rocchi And Pandev Lazio have not had the best of seasons so far despite Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev scoring regularly, even if not as regularly as last season. Salvatore Landolina believes the Biancolcelesti must hang on to those two players if they are to have any chance of turning their fortunes around.
Dumped out of the Champions League and currently sitting in 14th position in Serie A, just three points above the relegation zone, can it really get any worse for the Rome based club? This season’s start for Lazio has to go down as one of the worst in the club’s history. They are the same side which finished in the Champions League places last season, and yet, currently look like they do not even deserve a spot in the top half.
A lot of work remains to be done, and not just on the pitch. Apart from pulling away from the relegation zone, Claudio Lotito and Delio Rossi’s priorities are to ensure both Tommaso Rocchi and Goran Pandev stay with the club.
It’s fair to say that neither striker has enjoyed plenty of success in front of goal this season, at least not the way they did last time around. Nevertheless it is vital that the club keep hold of these two strikers.
Over the last couple of years, Rocchi has been the one to fire Lazio through to the big time in terms of Champions League qualification. He has averaged 15 goals a season in Serie A since his arrival in 2004, irrespective of the club's ups and downs, which is precisely why he becomes even more valuable.
Rocchi’s striking partner Goran Pandev has been just as influential. The Macedonian has hit the net 38 times in 121 appearances for Rossi’s side. One goal every three games might not look very impressive, but it is definitely good going given the fact that he plays the supporting striker role rather than as an out and out centre forward.
This season he has struck the back of net seven times already. Better strikers have done worse, and with over half the season remaining, he is on the way towards getting 15 at the very least.
Crudely put, Lazio might really be headed towards Serie B without these two. Even at the end of the season, their departure could be the end of this Lazio revolution. Where will Lotito find strikers of such calibre, and also willing to play for a fraction of what they could possibly earn at another club.
Reports suggest that Pandev could earn as much as six times what he does at the moment depending on the club he chooses, while Rocchi could quadruple his salary at the very least. Is it so unthinkable that Lazio decide to actually shrug off what is an unsustainable policy and offer them something better?
Lazio have conceded 25 goals, as many as relegation strugglers Reggina, and they have only scored 19. Basic math will tell you that when you concede more than you score then you normally end up in the bottom half of the table, if not worse. It’s a dire situation but just imagine what it would be if both players left.
What is certain is that Lazio are guaranteed goals from both strikers - who have been loyal and selfless in service of the Biancocelesti. After all, these are the strikers who have scored 95 goals between them since their arrival in 2004.
Recent speculation in both the Italian and English press had linked Pandev with a move to the Premier League, no doubt causing Lazio fans to lose some sleep. However the player, his agent and Lotito have all denied the rumours, which is welcome news to all associated with the club. Rocchi is also seemingly willing to commit to a new contract, if the club move from their position as well.
Now, before it is too late, some concrete steps will have to be taken by the club now to secure these two gems. After all, it takes just one week in June for the player and his agent turn around in the face of interest from a big club. Even less if he is unhappy and undervalued.
Lotito recently said how he wanted to restore Lazio to its former glory, but losing these two today could set him back a few years. One can only hope he sees this and does not let his obstinacy get in the way.
