Three Keepers, One Big Summer: Lazio Weigh Provedel, Motta, And Mandas Futures

Lazio could be heading into a complicated summer between the posts. With Ivan Provedel sidelined after shoulder surgery and young Edoardo Motta taking his chance as the new number one, the club is now forced to revisit a plan that originally looked much more long term. Christos Mandas remains part of the wider equation too, leaving Maurizio Sarri and the directors with several possible scenarios once the season ends.

The turning point is Provedel. His season has ended prematurely following a shoulder operation, and his condition when he returns in the summer will be decisive for what Lazio do next. The club also want to gradually lower the average age of the squad, which inevitably puts a spotlight on Provedel, who was born in 1994 and is under contract until 2027.

There is also a coaching variable. Provedel’s best run at Lazio has been under Sarri, and any change on the bench could influence the internal discussion about the goalkeeper position. If Sarri stays, continuity is easier. If Sarri goes, Lazio may revisit the hierarchy more aggressively.

In the meantime, Motta has moved from project signing to immediate solution. Lazio signed the 2005 born goalkeeper in January from Reggiana for around one million euros, and the initial idea as a long term investment that quickly became a short term necessity after Provedel’s injury. His early performances have reportedly impressed the club for character and upside, and that is why a role as next season’s competitor for the shirt is no longer unrealistic, even if Provedel returns.

Mandas is the third piece. The Greek keeper left on loan to Bournemouth in January, a move officially confirmed by the Premier League club, and his situation can still affect Lazio’s decisions later. If Mandas returns and Motta continues to grow, Lazio could find themselves with three viable options and a clear choice to make on age profile, wage structure, and who best fits Sarri’s build up demands.

For now, Lazio’s stance looks cautious rather than definitive. Provedel’s recovery timeline and level after surgery will set the baseline. Motta’s performances between now and the end of the campaign will determine whether he stays as a deputy or becomes a genuine challenger. And Mandas remains an external variable depending on what happens with his loan spell. In short, Lazio have a new question for the summer, and it is no longer only about who starts, but also about which direction the club wants to take in goal for the next cycle.