Brighton forward Leandro Trossard has been embroiled in war of words with manager Roberto De Zerbi after being axed from today’s squad to face Liverpool due to concerns over his attitude.
MailOnline revealed yesterday morning that the Belgium International was expected to miss the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s team with the attacker currently training away from the first-team.
Trossard has been struggling with a slight calf injury but sources have indicated Trossard’s lack of involvement with the senior squad is a decision taken by manager De Zerbi amid concerns over the forward’s attitude and work-rate.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Leandro Trossard has been dropped over his attitude
Brighton refused to comment when first contacted by Sportsmail on Thursday.
But speaking yesterday De Zerbi confirmed our story, saying: ‘Leandro isn’t in the list of players for tomorrow,’ he said.
‘The last training session before the Middlesbrough game (last Saturday) when he understood he didn’t play, he left the session without saying anything to me. And it’s not good.
‘The Monday after, I spoke with him and I explained this attitude, this behaviour, I don’t like. He knows very well that if he wants to play with Brighton with me, he has to work hard, he has to run, he has to be in the right way because we are not a big team such as Real Madrid or Barcelona, we are Brighton and we need players who work like the others who stay in Brighton.
The Brighton boss revealed he has dropped the forward for Saturday’s clash with Liverpool
‘I don’t know what is the problem. I want to be clear, I am open with him to take a step back and listen to him but he has to understand with me, I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100 per cent.’
But the episode took an unexpected twist yesterday evening when Trossard’s representative issued a statement indicating the forward wants to leave and that De Zerbi has given his client the cold shoulder following a training ground incident involving another player.
Agent Comhair Josy said: ‘Before Leandro left for Qatar, Brighton intended to (re)sign Leandro.
‘This did not happen as the parties did not come to an agreement. Leandro has also indicated that he is ready for his next step.
Tottenham have a firm interest in Trossard and are monitoring his situation with the Seagulls
‘After the World Cup there was an altercation between Leandro and another player at the training about a trivial…