Fifa agent Nunzio Marchione, who played a role in Keita Balde joining Lazio back in 2011, has spoken about the winger who has attracted interest from Inter.
“I was following him at Cornellà [where the now 23-year-old spent two years on loan between 2010-2012], I liked him because he had talent combined with a great personality, and he was tempted by many clubs, but I must give credit to Lazio sporting director Igli Tare for believing in him,” Marchione revealed in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
Seven years have passed since Balde joined Lazio and now at Monaco, Marchione believes that the Senegalese international has come a long way and can still go that bit further.
“Technically he was already very strong because he was unpredictable, he was playing with both feet and he has improved a lot since then. He still needs to step up to become a real top player though.”
Marchione also played a part in Inter captain Mauro Icardi joining Sampdoria and believes that both players benefited from being a part of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy.
“They both learned the importance of hard work there and training in such an environment gives you confidence,” he concluded.
