Arsenal target Romeo Lavia has been criticised by his Southampton boss Ruben Selles – leaving pundit Clinton Morrison absolutely baffled.
Selles was critical of Lavia in recent days as he questioned the teenager’s form.
Selles told talkSPORT that Lavia is ‘not impressing’ right now and thinks he needs to ‘step up’ to help the Southampton cause.
The Spaniard’s criticism came in response to Lavia being linked with a big summer move to Arsenal.
The Daily Mail reported that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in signing Lavia this summer.
The Belgian wonderkid is being viewed as a quality holding midfielder for the future after leaving Manchester City.
Arsenal are in the market for midfielders this summer but Selles hasn’t exactly given Lavia a ringing endorsement here.
Clinton Morrison can’t believe criticism of Arsenal target Romeo Lavia
Selles is trying to get a reaction out of Lavia as Southampton fight against relegation.
Whether that will work on such a young player remains to be seen but the approach has been heavily questioned.
Pundit Clinton Morrison told Sky Sports that he can’t understand what Selles is thinking by publicly slamming Lavia.
Morrison noted that Lavia has been one of Southampton’s best players this season and that’s why the top Premier League clubs want him.
Morrison added that Selles needs to do his job and be better than this, seemingly worrying that Lavia’s confidence could take a knock now.
“What do you gain out of doing that to the young kid? I don’t understand what you gain out of it. A lot of the top four teams are looking at the youngster, he’s been one of their best players! Do your job man, be better than that,” he added.
Arsenal will be keeping very close tabs on Lavia’s situation between now and the summer.
Lavia was a top talent at Manchester City under Mikel Arteta’s mentor Pep Guardiola.
You can understand why Arsenal see major potential in a player like Lavia, who could develop into a Premier League star.
If Southampton do go down, you can be sure that many Premier League clubs will be in for Lavia and sensing a real coup – no matter what Selles says.
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