Lazio’s Igor Tudor plans swoop for two of his former Marseille players

Igor Tudor was recently announced as the new Lazio manager this week, taking his first role managerial role since leaving Olympique de Marseille at the end of last season. This summer looks as if it will be a time for rejuvenation for the Roman squad, and the manager may look to plunder his old side. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport , Tudor is keen to reunite with Valentin Rongier (29) and Chancel Mbemba (29). Both were heavily featured within his Marseille squad last season, with Rongier stating of the manager, “ I’ve rarely seen a coach with that much commitment. He was straight with us from the start, he brought rigour into this club. ”

The Marseille captain continued, “ He’s made me grow as a player and as a person. I had more responsibilities. He brought in rigour and seriousness, a mentality we’re not used to seeing in France. ” 

Mbema quickly established himself as the starting choice centre-back for Tudor last season. His overlapping runs from deep that bombed into the box were crucial in the manager’s all-action system that often disrupted the low blocks that his Marseille had to face. 

Marseille had fended off interest in Mbemba during the past summer despite some lucrative offers for the centre-back. However, at the end of this season, he will be entering the final year of his contract, and it may be a case that the club will cash in on a defender who turns 30 during the summer. 

However, Rongier despite being injured this season remains a crucial figure within the dressing room as the club captain, while his contract will see him at the club until 2026.

GFFN | Nick Hartland