Quentin Merlin will not play with the Bleuets during this international break. The OM defender, initially summoned, withdrew. However, the reasons for his absence are debated.
Quentin Merlin has already resumed training with OM
Quentin Merlin, the left back of Olympique de Marseille, will miss the next friendly matches of the France Espoirs team against Italy and Germany. Although his call-up had initially been announced, the young player ultimately withdrew due to physical problems.
And while the first information suggested an injury, Quentin Merlin quickly resumed training with OM this Thursday at the Commanderie under the supervision of Roberto De Zerbi. This apparent contradiction fuels speculation around his absence with the Bleuets.
RMC Sport suggests that it was Olympique de Marseille who asked the player to forfeit by “precaution”. The Marseille club would have liked to preserve its defender, recently returned from injury.
The different parties found common ground
As a reminder, Quentin Merlin was injured during the last Bleuets rally. This situation had created tensions with the French Football Federation (FFF). OM would blame the Espoirs staff for poor management of Merlin's injury. However, it appears that both sides have finally found common ground for this gathering.
With this cautious approach, OM hopes that Quentin Merlin will be in great shape to face RC Lens. The Marseille club thus wishes to avoid a new injury which could handicap its team for the rest of the season. Despite this package, the former Nantes player remains an important element of Gérald Baticle's project with the Espoirs. His absence for this gathering in no way affects his chances of being selected for the next rounds.
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