The recent departure of Adrien Rabiot continues to raise tensions within the Olympique de Marseille. The altercation between Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe after the defeat against Rennes created a crisis, but close to the club sources indicate that the locker room is not completely divided. On the contrary, many players are “mentally worn out” and “tangled” by the decision concerning Rabiot, perceived as a leader since his arrival. The incident itself did not deeply shock the staff, accustomed to competing tensions, but it was the management of the situation and the firmness of the decision that questioned managers.

This decision, taken following a meeting in Miami between Frank McCourt, Pablo Longoria, Mehdhi Benatia and Roberto De Zerbi, reflects a stability and unity pact on sports and extra-sports decisions. The management and staff maintained a firm line despite Rabiot’s importance for the team and his popular support. OM has clearly sent a message that no individuality can go beyond the collective project. This strategy aims to strengthen the authority of management, sometimes questioned in a passionate context such as Marseille. The Rabiot case could leave lasting traces in the locker room and among supporters, who are waiting for concrete results to avoid a deterioration of the situation.

At the same time, the Olympique de Marseille reactivates the discussions concerning Ismaël Bennacer, midfielder of Milan AC. The club wants to take advantage of the situation of Bennacer, who failed to win in the Milanese team, to negotiate his acquisition at the end of mercato and lower his price. Pablo Longoria and Mehdhi Benatia maintain a good opinion of the player, whose versatility and technical qualities could bring variety to the middle of Marseilles terrain, which now has to face Rabiot’s departure. The starting files also include Cornelius, Rowe, Ouahbi and Rabiot, while the arrival of Ordóñez, Zhegrova and Tsimikas is experiencing difficulties.