Martin Keown says there is a ‘power struggle’ going on at Brighton between reported Newcastle United transfer target Leandro Trossard and manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The Brighton star has fallen out with De Zerbi and he wants to leave the club during the January transfer window, with a host of clubs interested.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are one of those teams, with Trossard’s contract at the Amex Stadium expiring in the summer, but his current club can extend that by a further 12 months.
It seems as though Trossard isn’t even in the UK after leaving training early without permission and his agent – Josy Comhair – says a transfer will be‘ beneficial to both parties’, as reported by BBC Sport.
That will alert the likes of Newcastle who are continually looking to bolster their squad and attack, especially during their Champions League push this season.
But former Premier League defender Keown shared what needs to happen with the Trossard saga, as he warned those at Brighton that they are ‘fighting a battle with the wrong player’, as he told Final Score.
“There is a power struggle going on in this dressing room,” said Keown. “This manager didn’t win a game of football until the sixth match, by the way.
“They are eighth-placed in the table. They have gone down to fourth from their previous manager. If Potter is part of the problem at Chelsea, then he is a part of the reason they have slipped.
“Trossard is their top goalscorer. He played exceptionally well and now he’s come out of the team – but the relationship, and you don’t have a relationship and it goes wrong, then the players are going to take umbrage with you pretty quickly.
“So, I suggest he starts to communicate. He has a great set of players to deal with already. They have already shown their quality and Trossard is one of those. He is a good apple. He’s fighting a battle with the wrong player, for me. I think they need to get back together and get him back on the pitch.”
NEWCASTLE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM TROSSARD
The Belgium International can play across the front three, he is someone who can carry the ball, loves playing the one-twos and makes goalscoring runs off the ball.
But his current actions surely shouldn’t sit well with interested parties?! There is a real togetherness at St James’ Park and whilst Trossard would certainly improve the squad, he’s not exactly a must-have.
Either way, Brighton, as they have proved with the sales of Yves Bissouma, Ben White and Marc Cucurella. They aren’t going to part ways with their players cheaply.
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