Daniel Maldini will be tipped to thrive in the Premier League if he continues to fulfill his potential at Lazio.
That is the opinion of European football expert Andy Brassell, who assessed the 24-year-old’s immediate impact in Rome.
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The third-generation Maldini joined Maurizio Sarri’s side on loan with an option to buy from domestic rivals Atalanta at the end of last month.
The midfielder has already played one fewer Serie A game for Lazio than in the entire first half of the season.
The six-time Italy international is a completely different player to his father Paolo, widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in history and described by Brazil star Ronaldo as his toughest opponent.
Maldini, 57, who admitted to Thierry Henry that he was afraid of playing against him, hoped his son would carry on the family legacy at his old club Milan.
However, Daniel, who was part of the Rossoneri’s winning Serie A squad in 2021, failed to break into the first team.
After a series of mixed spells in Italy, the Milan-born star is beginning to reinvent himself as a false nine at Lazio.
Maldini provided an assist in Lazio’s 2-2 draw with Juventus, with former Chelsea coach Sarri saying afterwards that he had “huge potential”.
Brassell, co-host of The Pitch Prospect show Trans Euro Express, claimed the Biancocelesti’s new number 27 could attract a lot of interest if he continues on this path.
“The move to Atalanta didn’t really work out but I don’t think that’s entirely his fault,” he told The Pitch Prospect.com exclusively.
“I really like what I’ve seen of Daniel Maldini so far. Of course he’s very, very different from his father or his grandfather.”
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Daniel Maldini “completely different from his father”
Brassell continued: “A midfielder who can contribute a lot to the attack, who is physically strong and can handle himself, but who really wants to get into the box and score goals.”
“He’s a creative. Funnily enough, he’s the kind of player I think will really thrive in the Premier League in a few years.”
“I think after he has had a few consistent years, I can see him having a few good seasons at Lazio and then doing really well in the Premier League.”
“But here too he is still in this development phase. Firstly, because he was at Milan for a long time.”
“Secondly, because the move to Atalanta didn’t work out. He was really good in a weak Monza team. Then he came to Atalanta and you thought: ‘Okay’.”
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Why didn’t the move to Atalanta work?
Maldini only moved to La Dea this time last year but has only played 11 competitive games for Atalanta this season, providing one assist.
As for why the move didn’t work out, Brassell added: “There were a few things. First, the competition is tough.”
“Secondly, it is an enormous step forward compared to Monza. And thirdly, there is the fact that there has been so much fluctuation in terms of play at Atalanta in recent years that it is easy to get lost in it.”
“Good players went down there. Nikola Kristović was a big newcomer until his recent upturn in form and it took a while for him to settle in.”
“To secure your place in the team when you have a change of coach, as was the case after Gian Piero Gasperini, and it didn’t really work out.” [Ivan] Juric and the fact that so many players have come and gone, I think it’s really hard to wrap your head around that.
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“If he had moved to Atalanta a few years ago I think he would have been a great success if he had joined an established team.”
“I think he would have been really good for them. Someone who could have shadowed Mario Pašalić, competed with him and maybe even surpassed him. But he wasn’t able to do that for a number of reasons.”
“At Lazio, where they are at the moment, they are missing that kind of midfielder, that size, that physical profile of a midfielder since Sergej Milinkovic-Savic left.”
“Look, that’s a pretty high standard that you have to live up to. But the fact is that Lazio is currently rebuilding.”
“So he’s going to get a lot of games, he’s going to get a lot of responsibility and I think it’s probably the right place for him at this point.”
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Possible Premier League transfer?
Paolo Maldini admitted he turned down the chance to play for Arsenal or Chelsea during Milan’s struggles in the mid-90s.
Still, his son Daniel could become a future target for English clubs – but only if he can prove he can become a key star at Lazio.
“I think he really needs to prove how good he really is. All I’m talking about at the moment is potential so far.”
“We haven’t had a Serie A season for a top team where he played really well.”
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“If he plays really well for Lazio for the next season and a half, then we are in discussion.”
“So I don’t think we can put the cart before the horse. I think if he fulfills the potential that I think he has and that a lot of people think he has, the interest will come.”
“Lazio won’t get rich quick. They will be able to become one of their better players after the sale.”
“I would just say watch this room for now.”