'Not in the right condition' - Mason Greenwood benching for Classique loss to PSG explained as Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi compares ex-Man Utd forward to Ousmane Dembele

The former Manchester United forward has registered 15 goals this season, with a productive start to his debut campaign at Stade Velodrome being enjoyed. There have been suggestions that another big-money transfer for Greenwood could be lined up in the summer of 2025.

He is, however, having to make peace with bench duty at present. Having been introduced at half-time in a 1-0 loss to Lens, Greenwood only entered proceedings against PSG as a 63rd-minute substitute – as Marseille went down 3-1 at Parc des Princes.

De Zerbi told DAZN afterwards of why Greenwood is not figuring as prominently as many people expected, with PSG star Ousmane Dembele used as an example of how fortunes can change: "For me, he's not in the right physical condition to play. Mason is a crucial player for us. But if I'm not mistaken, at the beginning of the season Dembele wasn't in the starting XI. We need Mason, but he has to be in good physical condition. It's very important at this point in the season."

Marseille remain second in the Ligue 1 table for now but need to rediscover a spark as individuals and a collective through their final eight fixtures as just six points separate them from sixth-placed Strasbourg and a standing outside of the European qualification spots.