I don't think you've really watched Lazio in the past two seasons.
SMS literally has to do everything because there is no fucking plan. It's either run to the flanks or push it forward and hope for the best. SMS is literally single handedly controlling the game for Lazio, ensuring they have more attacking than defensive duties.
Of course I've watched Lazio. Your observation is similar to what I observe, except interpreted differently. At Lazio there's always a DM, a good striker, and wide support players. But SMS (and Luis Alberto) essentially get to do what they want offensively and defensively in the CM roles. There is no discipline required to their positional roles offensively and defensively. That makes them look really good....both players are good, but that style makes them look even better.
Bigger teams have much more tightly defined roles and responsibilities. Much more.
Think about players like Pastore or even Shaquiri. Give them the chance to freelance, they look like geniuses. Put them in a tight system and they seem limited. Not saying SMS is limited since we don't know that yet. But that's my point. We don't know and it's a risk. And that's a risk, at the price Lotito is hyping, is for mega rich clubs to gamble on. Not us. If we spend even 60mil, it needs to be near guarantee.
He's a much bigger player than Pogba was at Juventus. The only differences were the Scudetti and the astronomical difference in wuality between the two midfields. He's no gamble, he's by far the best transfer anyone could hope to land from Serie A.
Pogba proved at Juventus:
- he is tactically astute. Very tactically astute. He played DM for Pirlo. Pure CM. Wide CM. Played them all with discipline, interpreted the role correctly, AND add his unique characteristics to it.
- he can play with other big players and still contribute effectively. Knew when to be submissive and simple with his play and knew when to ramp up and take over.
- he can play under big pressure for results week-in, week-out
For me those points are HUGE. You were getting a near guarantee with Pogba. No way SMS is worth Pogba or more.