'There's a chance to fix things' - Roberto De Zerbi admits Adrien Rabiot could make sensational Marseille return despite 'pub fight' with Jonathan Rowe

Marseille were left reeling after it emerged Rowe and Rabiot had got into a fight, which led to a team-mate getting knocked out, following their loss to Rennes. The duo were immediately suspended and then put on the transfer list by the French side, and though Rowe has now been sold to Bologna, head coach De Zerbi may be softening his stance on Rabiot.

When asked if he would like to recruit a new No. 10 after Rabiot's exclusion, he said: "No, I think [Amine] Gouiri can do it. He's done it in the past, and he has the qualities to do it. We're missing about four to five players. As for Rabiot, I said it yesterday, and even though I haven't spoken with (club president) Pablo [Longoria] and (sporting director) Medhi [Benatia] yet, I hope that, and it's not based on the quality of the player but on the quality of the man, and even if he made a mistake, there's a chance to fix things."

Marseille, who were without Rabiot and Rowe, claimed a much-needed 5-2 win over Paris FC on Saturday to go third in Ligue 1 after two games. France international Rabiot started 29 games for the French giants last season, whereas former Norwich City forward Rowe was in the starting lineup on just six occasions. Going by that, Rabiot would be a bigger loss to Marseille and perhaps that is why De Zerbi is reluctant to lose him, despite this embarrassing episode.

With just over a week to go of the summer transfer window, it remains to be seen if Rabiot will still be at Marseille come September 2 or if he will follow Rowe out the door. Before then, De Zerbi's team take on Lyon next Sunday in Ligue 1 action.