Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi says he "adores" Mason Greenwood and that he will be involved against Reims this weekend.
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Greenwood criticised by De ZerbiBenches Marseile forward twiceSays he "adores" ex-Man Utd starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
De Zerbi criticised Greenwood earlier this month, saying he "expected more from him" and dropped him to the bench. Now, the former Brighton head coach has praised the 23-year-old's efforts in training and opened the door to returning him to the starting lineup on Saturday at Reims.
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He told reporters: "He's someone I really adore, just as I adore his father. He had a bit of a difficult time with the birth of a daughter. He's not used to playing intense seasons as a main player. He didn't push 100% and his physical condition declined. My project is to create something. Luis Enrique in Paris, he created a soul, a way of thinking, for example. He agreed to train before the group. He trained very well this week. When he pushes and feels good, in my team, he's the one who plays with 10 other players. If he doesn't, not because he's a bad boy, well he has to stay on the bench. Tomorrow, he'll play."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Greenwood has arguably been Marseille's best player this season, scoring 16 goals and bagging three assists. That is why many would have been shocked to see the one-time England international among the substitutes in their last two Ligue 1 games. De Zerbi is trying to make it clear that nobody is bigger than the team, while pointing to the harmony that Luis Enrique has instilled at Paris Saint-Germain. But it is a fine line as Greenwood has been linked with big transfer moves this summer, and instances like this may push him to seek an exit.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
Greenwood, who swapped Manchester United for Marseille last summer for £27 million ($35m), will hope to be in his team's starting XI on Saturday at 4pm against Reims.
