Having courted much controversy in the summer months casting a huge doubt on his Lazio future, Keita Balde’s blistering return to form in recent weeks has made him one of the first names on the teamsheet for coach Simone Inzaghi, who has to take great credit for the way he has got the 21-year-old career back on track.
 

Only a couple of months ago, it seemed as though his future would lie away from the Eternal City with Monaco looking like a possible destination. Juventus were also making tentative enquiries but the €30 million requested by Lazio ensured that the interest wavered and Keita remained in Rome.  

Now the biancocelesti have a top-class player at their disposal and at such a young age, President Claudio Lotito would be well advised to try to tie him down to a new contract at the club sooner rather than later. Keita himself will still not speak of a possible renewal and maintained his silence after scoring the second of his team’s three goals against Udinese last night. Lotito now faces a dilemma; should he continue to refuse the inevitable offers that will arrive in January or next summer and try to convince the youngster that his future would be best served in the capital, or accept the fact that this could be his final season in the colours of Lazio.

By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell