Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that Newcastle United target Leandro Trossard needs to work harder.
Trossard has enjoyed a strong season to date, headlined by a hat-trick for Brighton away at Liverpool.
The Belgian attacker has bagged seven goals in 16 Premier League games, chipping in with two assists as well.
However, Trossard is now being left out by boss De Zerbi.
Trossard didn’t feature against Everton in midweek and it was a similar story for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough.
There is no injury involved, it’s just that De Zerbi seems to be frustrated with Trossard’s attitude.
The Italian has told The Athletic that he would love to pick Trossard regularly but he just needs more from him – more effort, more running, more commitment.
Without a change of mindset from Trossard, the Belgian just isn’t going to feature for Brighton any time soon.
“I don’t know. I think he’s one of the best players for us and one of the most important players for us,” said De Zerbi when asked if transfer speculation was affecting Trossard. “I’d like to always play with Leo in the first eleven, but it doesn’t depend only on me, it depends on Leo.”
“I don’t know, but with me I want players that work for the team on the pitch and Leandro knows very well my opinion, my idea. I’ve spoken a lot of times with him. I like him as a player, but I want more from him, because he can play better, he can work harder, he can run more on the pitch and I want players who give 100 per cent in every training session and every game. Without these characteristics, then they can’t play with me,” he added.
Newcastle target Trossard could ruin Brighton career and future move
Trossard has become a star for Brighton and fans have loved him – but he is now in danger of throwing all of that away.
Not only that but Trossard may now ruin his prospect of securing a big move if he continues down this path.
90Min claim that Newcastle want to sign Trossard with director of football Dan Ashworth keen on a reunion.
Yet think about what Eddie Howe likes; he needs commitment, effort and running from his players and wouldn’t want to bring in somebody who won’t fit that bill.
Trossard is now showing some less-than-ideal traits at Brighton and De Zerbi’s comments will have been noticed by Ashworth and Howe.
If Trossard doesn’t get a big move and loses his spot in the Brighton side moving forward, he will have only himself to blame.
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