Zakaria Bakkali is not a popular figure at PSV at present.
PSV’s breakthrough player of last season is currently being forced to train with the club’s reserves after a contract dispute turned sour.
Zakaria Bakkali hit headlines at the start of 2013/14 with a hat-trick in the Eredivisie, winning a call-up to the Belgian national side.
The 18-year-old was subsequently linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid, but saw his form dip towards the end of the season and lose out on a place in Marc Wilmots’ World Cup squad.
With a contract expiring in 2015, PSV fear losing the talent on a free, and feel his head has been turned by his rapid rise to stardom, and the club are taking action.
Belgian news outlet HLN.be report: “He refuses to extend his contract. As long as he does not, he is not welcome at the A squad.”
PSV manager Phillip Cocu adds: “The ball is with him. We have clearly stated what the reason is.”
It is not a good way for the teenage talent to begin a season, one which is clearly an important one for him.
If he remains ostracised, and not given a platform to consistently showcase his talent this coming year, clubs said to be queuing up to sign Bakkali on a free may dwindle and leave him with far less exciting options to sign next summer.
What was evident last season was that despite being a player of outstanding potential, he remains a raw prospect, one who needs time to develop and regular football.
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