Mason Greenwood Faces Harsh Criticism After Disappointing Performance
Mason Greenwood and his Marseille teammates received a brutal 0/10 rating following a 3-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Nantes. This loss significantly damaged their chances of qualifying for the Champions League, with the team now sitting in seventh place in Ligue 1. With only two games remaining, they are four points behind the Champions League spots, while most of their rivals have played one fewer match.
Greenwood, who has been a key player for Marseille this season with 15 goals in Ligue 1, has struggled recently. He has managed to score just once in his last nine games, raising concerns about his form and impact on the team.
Local newspaper La Provence was particularly critical of Greenwood, calling him ‘scandalous’ and comparing his performance to that of a circus actor. The paper highlighted his numerous mistakes and unprofessional behavior during the match. They wrote:
“Scandalous from start to finish, he thought it was okay to walk after his countless turnovers, complain when his teammates didn’t pass to him, and act like he was in a circus, attempting unnecessary gestures for his own personal amusement, while his club’s financial future was at stake.”
They also noted that in other circumstances, Greenwood might have deserved half a point for at least managing to tie his boots.
The newspaper also criticized the performances of other former Premier League players in the Marseille squad, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Aubameyang, 36, was described as someone who completed more passes for Nantes than his teammates. Meanwhile, Hojbjerg was labeled as the worst version of himself, with poorly judged and forced passes.
Marseille may be forced to sell players like Greenwood if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus are long-term admirers of Greenwood and are ready to make a move this summer.
If Marseille is forced to sell, they would expect a fee of at least £43 million for his services. A portion of that transfer fee would go to Manchester United, which has a sell-on clause following Greenwood’s £30 million move to Marseille in July 2024.
Even if Marseille finishes fourth, they will still have to navigate a play-off to make the Champions League league phase. However, their hopes could be dashed if Lille and Lyon win their matches today, putting them beyond Marseille’s reach.
With the pressure mounting, it remains to be seen whether Greenwood can turn his performance around and help Marseille secure a spot in the Champions League. For now, the criticism from La Provence serves as a stark reminder of the high expectations placed on the young forward.
