Mason Greenwood has been in red-hot form for Marseille this season but has been left out of the starting XI for the last two games after clashing with coach Roberto De Zerbi
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Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood's future at Marseille is uncertain(Image: Getty Images)
Mason Greenwood's relationship with Roberto De Zerbi has been anything but smooth.
The former Manchester United forward, who joined Marseille alongside De Zerbi last summer, has been in hot form since his switch to France. He's netted 15 goals in Ligue 1 this season – a tally only bettered by PSG's Ousmane Dembele – and his impressive performances have caught the attention of several European giants, including Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, who are all considering a move for him at the end of the season.
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Marseille are eager to keep him, but De Zerbi might have different plans after having several disagreements with the 23-year-old throughout the season. On one occasion, the ex-Brighton manager reportedly flew into a rage while criticising Greenwood's commitment during training, leaving many first team players shocked.
This heated exchange occurred prior to the club's match against Lens earlier this month, and Greenwood has not featured in De Zerbi's starting line-up since then. Marseille suffered a 1-0 defeat to Lens, followed by a 3-1 loss to PSG a week later, with Greenwood – deemed "not in the right physical condition to play" by De Zerbi – relegated to a substitute role in both matches.
These losses have seen OM fall 19 points behind table-toppers PSG, who remain undefeated in Ligue 1. Despite this, they're still in second place and on track to secure an automatic Champions League spot.
Greenwood's omission from the starting line-up might have been unexpected, given his impressive form, but De Zerbi had previously stated that any player who underperforms in training would be left out. The Italian coach has also been vocal about his demands of Greenwood, saying: "I expect more from him.
"He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough. If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined."
Roberto De Zerbi
Roberto De Zerbi has clashed with Greenwood several times this season(Image: Getty Images)
It appears that tension has been building between De Zerbi and Greenwood for some time. Last October, De Zerbi criticised Greenwood for being "out of shape" after a four-game goal drought, and later stated that his standards had "slipped".
In February, De Zerbi expressed frustration that Greenwood was too focused on scoring and wasn't putting in enough effort to improve other areas of his game, such as taking corners. "Greenwood is not a specialist on corners," he said.
"He could become one, but he is focused on the goal. When he goes to take a corner, he goes a bit like... And that annoys me." A few weeks ago, reports emerged that De Zerbi was growing 'increasingly impatient' with Greenwood.
Mason Greenwood on the ball and manager Roberto De Zerbi in the background
Greenwood's boss has grown frustrated with his workrate
According to RMC Sport, the forward's perceived "nonchalance", "attitude" and "lack of effort" has been irking the coaching staff, and a summer departure could be on the cards if he doesn't get back in the manager's good books.
In terms of performance, Greenwood has netted 16 goals in 28 matches for the French side in all competitions, leaving him just a brace shy of besting his personal record for a single season. His £26million move from United to Marseille last year came following a loan stint at Spanish club Getafe, where he scored 10 times in 36 matches.
Earlier this month, Greenwood switched international allegiances from England to Jamaica. He earned his one and only cap for the Three Lions in 2020.