Gattuso Praises Former Arsenal Defender Nuno Tavares, Says He Has Real Madrid Potential Amid Serie A Success

Lazio head coach Gennaro Gattuso has expressed strong belief that former Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares possesses the talent to compete at Real Madrid. After struggling to impress in the Premier League, Tavares has found renewed form in Italy's Serie A.

A Fresh Start in Italy

Tavares joined Arsenal from Benfica in 2021 amid high hopes but failed to secure a consistent starting spot under Mikel Arteta. Loan spells at Marseille and Nottingham Forest followed before he moved to Lazio on loan. The Italian club made his transfer permanent last year.

The arrival of Gattuso as Lazio’s coach sparked a revival for both the team and Tavares. Lazio began their current Serie A season unbeaten, with three wins and a draw, leading the title race early on. Tavares has been a key player, starting nearly all matches and fitting well into Gattuso’s system.

Gattuso’s Bold Claim

Speaking to DAZN, Gattuso praised Tavares’ skills and potential. He stated, “I’ve always said that Tavares is worthy of Real Madrid. This is a player who ought to be at Real Madrid. He’s got everything it takes, he has pace, right foot, left foot.”

Despite this praise, Gattuso acknowledged the mental challenges that have held Tavares back. He compared the defender’s lost opportunities to someone who inherited a fortune only to lose it quickly, saying, “He feels like someone who lost his parents young, received a big inheritance, and in five years it went up in smoke.”

Gattuso believes unlocking Tavares’ full potential depends on building his confidence and focus. He remarked, “He knows he has talent and could’ve had 10-12 years at Real Madrid with his qualities. You’ve just got to get him to understand. He is unusual and after a match he needs his time to recover, but he’s a good lad. You need to get into his head and make him understand.”

From Premier League Struggles to Serie A Stability

Tavares’ £8 million move to Arsenal didn’t work out as expected, with defensive errors limiting his opportunities. Now in his third season with Lazio, the Portuguese left-back seems settled in a club that values his style and allows him to improve.

Upcoming Challenge: Venezia

Tavares aims to keep up his impressive performances as Lazio prepares to face newly promoted Venezia. Maintaining their unbeaten start and securing a top-four position remain priorities for Gattuso’s confident squad.

If Tavares continues on this path and follows his manager’s advice, he could finally reach the potential that once made him one of Europe's promising defenders.

Upcoming fixtures:

• Ipswich Town vs Arsenal (Carabao Cup): 15 Sept 2026, 22:00
• Venezia vs Lazio (Serie A): 19 Sept 2026, 21:45