Marseille Goal Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas Amid Dressing Room Turmoil
Olympique de Marseille have endured a turbulent opening to their Ligue 1 marketing campaign, each on and off the pitch. After a summer season that promised stability, optimism shortly unravelled. A 2-1 defeat to Rennes, who performed with 10 males for over an hour, highlighted vulnerabilities in Roberto De Zerbi’s aspect. In keeping with , the fallout was extreme. Jonathan Rowe and Adrien Rabiot got here to blows within the aftermath of the loss, a “violent brawl” that pressured the membership to intervene. Each gamers have since been switch listed and won’t function for OM once more.
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Left-back Precedence for Marseille
Whereas disciplinary points dominate headlines, Marseille’s administration are additionally working intensely on transfers. With Quentin Merlin gone and Ulisses Garcia the one pure left-back accessible, the place has change into a significant precedence. Foot Mercato report that OM are “at the moment concentrating on Liverpool left-back Kóstas Tsimíkas” as an answer.
The Greek worldwide has been a dependable deputy at Anfield, making 29 appearances in all competitions final season. But with the £40m arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and Andy Robertson nonetheless in place, Tsimikas has slipped down the pecking order. At 29 years previous and with 41 caps for Greece, he’s on the stage of his profession the place common soccer is important.
Photograph: IMAGO
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Tsimikas Suits De Zerbi’s System
Marseille consider Tsimikas can supply attacking qualities well-suited to De Zerbi’s construction. “His attacking profile corresponds to Roberto De Zerbi’s system,” Foot Mercato word. That side has lengthy been a energy of the participant, along with his supply from extensive areas and willingness to push ahead making him a pure match for possession-based soccer.
Liverpool are open to his departure this summer season, particularly with three left-backs now competing for one function. Tsimikas’ state of affairs has already alerted a number of golf equipment, together with Premier League sides and former membership Olympiacos, but Marseille are anticipated to push hardest to safe his companies earlier than the deadline.
Unsure Weeks Forward
Marseille’s switch exercise within the last days of the window will likely be decisive. Changing Rowe and Rabiot whereas concurrently including a first-choice left-back is not any small activity, however it’s one that would form their season. De Zerbi’s strategies demand full dedication from his gamers, and new arrivals who can execute his imaginative and prescient are badly wanted.
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Tsimikas, along with his mix of expertise and attacking intent, may very well be a shrewd acquisition. Whether or not OM can persuade Liverpool to half with him, and whether or not the participant himself sees Ligue 1 as the correct subsequent step, will change into clear within the coming weeks.
Our View – Anfield Index Evaluation
From a Liverpool perspective, this report underlines the truth of squad steadiness below Arne Slot. With Andy Robertson’s aborted transfer to Atletico Madrid earlier this summer season, and the high-profile arrival of Milos Kerkez, the left-back division has change into overcrowded. It at all times felt inevitable that Kostas Tsimikas can be the one to make method.
Tsimikas has been a reliable squad participant, affectionately nicknamed the “Greek Scouser” for his dedication and character. He offered key moments throughout Liverpool’s current cup successes, but with Kerkez anticipated to change into a long-term successor to Robertson, his pathway is now blocked.
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Promoting him to Marseille wouldn’t solely increase funds but in addition clear area in a squad that should stay balanced for a demanding season forward. Followers will view this as a wise piece of enterprise. There’s respect for Tsimikas’ service, but in addition recognition that Liverpool require sharper competitors in all areas to take care of their Premier League crown.
Ought to he full the transfer, many supporters will want him properly. His attacking instincts align with De Zerbi’s strategy, and Marseille may very well be the right atmosphere for him to revive his profession. For Liverpool, the main focus shifts to making sure Kerkez settles shortly, whereas Robertson stays match and constant.
In reality, Liverpool followers will not be panicked by this departure. Tsimikas was valued however by no means actually important. What issues now’s sustaining momentum below Slot and guaranteeing the left aspect of defence continues to carry out on the highest stage.