The Marseille summer was marked by an incessant parade in the press room. Players and managers took turns in the spotlight to reveal the new face of OM. Roberto De Zerbi, known for his bold and attacking style of play, was not just a spectator of this overhaul. He played a key role in the attractiveness of the Marseille project, directly influencing certain major recruitments, such as that of Mason Greenwood. The English striker is on historic footing.
It was one of the hottest soap operas of the last transfer window. Mason Greenwood, splashed by serious accusations of domestic violence and rape against his partner Harriet Robsonsparked a wave of indignation in Marseille. The mayor of the city, Benoit Payanhad also taken a firm position on RMC Sport in mid-July, saying that a man accused of such atrocities had “no place” to loon. A statement that seemed to close the door to the former prodigy of Manchester United. But against all expectations, it is Roberto DeZerbithe Marseille coach, who took the lead in trying to convince the young striker to join the Marseille club. As he confided to The Team in August, he personally picked up his phone to attract Greenwooddespite the many controversies surrounding the player.
Greenwood’s fanfare debut
LOON is going through a complex period, and Mason Greenwood is no exception. The English striker, who arrived this summer on the Canebière, alternates between flashes of genius and slumps. His performance during the Classic facing the PSGon October 27, is a striking example: loon had lost heavily (0-3) to the Orange Vélodromeet Greenwood had remained far from the expectations placed on him. However, even in difficult times, the British striker proved that he knew how to respond. Last Friday, during the reception of the AJ Auserrefreshly reassembled in Ligue 1, Greenwood saved Marseille’s honor. Although the team of Roberto DeZerbi suffered a humiliating defeat (1-3), Greenwood showed that he could influence matches. Obtaining and then converting a penalty with composure, he scored Marseille's only goal of the evening. This gesture, although small consolation, brings his personal record to 8 goals in 11 championship matches. He does better than many big names as pointed out Provence.
Big names in the rearview mirror
Comparing the performances of the last Marseille center forward with those of around forty former attackers who have marked the club's history, one thing is certain: his debut is impressive. Better yet, he's already outclassing iconic figures such as Gunnar Andersson, Didier Drogba, Mamadou Niang, Alexis Sanchez or even Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in terms of initial effectiveness. However, historical competition remains formidable. Some big names have struck even harder, reaching the milestone of eight league goals in the Olympian jersey at record speed. Among them, legends like Sonny Anderson, Hector Yazalde, Josip Skoblar, Paulo Cézaror even Tony Cascarinowho had accomplished this feat in Division 2, without forgetting Marc Berdoll. History continues to be written, but the young Olympian prodigy already seems well on his way to leaving his mark on this rich line of scorers.
