Tottenham Hotspur’s forgotten defender, one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first signings at Spurs, has become a key player for the Serie A side.
Roma’s Federico Fazio celebrates scoring
Tottenham Hotspur supporters may be surprised to hear that defender Federico Fazio is making the most of his loan spell with Italian giants Roma.
The 29-year-old often struggled during his time at White Hart Lane after moving from Spain in 2014, and it would be some surprise if he played for the club again with Mauricio Pochettino’s side now a well drilled defensive machine.
Tottenham’s Federico Fazio in action with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud
But it wouldn’t be an overstatement at all to suggest Fazio is Tottenham’s best performing player out on loan.
The giant defender has started the club’s last eight matches, five of which have been in the league. That figure already trumps his total from last season, where Fazio started just six games, one at Spurs and then five during his loan spell at former club Sevilla. He has a rating of 7.13 on whoscored.com, the same as defensive partner Kostas Manolas – currently one of the most highly rated defenders in the division – suggesting he is performing well.
Roma are currently in a strong position in Serie A with Fazio helping the capital club up to second spot in the league alongside Manolas. Lucaino Spaletti’s side are already five points behind serial leaders Juventus, but Roma will certainly be hopeful of securing the final automatic Champions League spot after missing out in the qualification rounds this season.
Football Soccer – AS Roma v FK Austria Wien – UEFA Europa League group stage
The Italian side are top of their Europa League group after dropping into that competition, and would arguably be ranked as one of the favourites for that competition. Fazio scored his first goal in three years during a 4-0 win over Astra.
Though few Spurs fans would miss Fazio were he to join Roma on a permanent deal, a very possible outcome given how important he has become at the Stadio Olimpico, most would wish him the best of luck in a division that is much more suited to his style of defending.
Roma’s Federico Fazio with Juan Iturbe
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