Tottenham transfer target Leandro Trossard has been dropped from the Brighton team to face Liverpool as the forward enters a key stage of his contract. Having been a star player under Graham Potter at the Amex he has developed a strained relationship with new manager Roberto De Zerbi in recent weeks.
The 28-year-old was part of Belgium's disappointing World Cup campaign and has returned to domestic action with his club only to be singled out by his coach. Having started this season on fire with two goals and two assists under the now Chelsea boss, Trossard continued to impress under De Zerbi.
He bagged a hat-trick in the former Shakhtar Donetsk boss' first game in charge - at Anfield - but has only scored twice in the 10 matches since. Although there was an option to extend his deal by one year, something that Potterh himself explained over the summer, Trossard's situation remains uncertain.
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He has 18-months left on his deal now but if he continues to be called out for his behaviour that may seem him leave the club sooner. Having played in every match this season until Everton, Trossard has already been punished by his manager and that is set to continue into the weekend.
Speaking ahead of the repeat fixture of his first match, De Zerbi said, “Leandro Trossard isn't on the list for next game. The last session before last game, when he understood he wasn't playing, he left the session without telling me anything. I told him I don't like this attitude."
Since the World Cup Trossard hasn't scored or assisted despite his team scoring five times in the two games he has played. He is a target not only for Spurs but also Arsenal and Chelsea but he perhaps fits Tottenham and Antonio Conte better than the other sides despite his links to Potter.
As a versatile forward that can also play as a wingback when recquired, Trossard's energy and technical skill makes him an ideal player to work alongside Ivan Perisic in a similar mold.
De Zerbi was even open about the chances of him leaving, adding, "I don't know about the transfer market, if he wants to change teams or not. I am open with him to take a step back and listen to him but he has to understand with me, I want only players who work hard and play for the team 100%."
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