Clauss Affirms Marseille Allegiance Amid Scrutiny
In a surprising turn of events, Olympique de Marseille's Jonathan Clauss has reaffirmed his dedication to the club after facing scrutiny from its management. The French international found himself unexpectedly placed on the transfer market late in the January transfer window, with the club's hierarchy questioning his level of commitment. This move came as a shock, especially considering Clauss's previous contributions to the team.
In a controversial interview with Canal Plus in February, OM's sporting director Medhi Benatia openly criticized Clauss's behavior, suggesting that it was "borderline" and citing warnings he had received upon joining the club in November. The comments sparked backlash from the players' union, accusing Benatia of bullying Clauss and drawing attention to potential issues within the club's management.
Clauss Addresses Speculation and Clarifies His Position
Despite the turbulence surrounding his situation, Jonathan Clauss has firmly stated his allegiance to Olympique de Marseille. In an interview with Téléfoot, Clauss expressed his unwavering commitment to the club, emphasizing that thoughts of a transfer never crossed his mind. He asserted, "I'm blossoming at OM. I give everything for this club. I am 300% for this club."
Clauss acknowledged the tensions with the club's executives but indicated that they have since been resolved. He reassured fans, stating, "Everything has calmed down, at least on my side in any case. They had things to say. I listened to them. I am aware of the situation. For me, there wasn’t a problem and there still isn’t." With the dispute seemingly put to rest, Clauss is now focused on finishing the season strongly with Marseille, aiming to guide the club to a European qualification and a successful campaign in the UEFA Europa League.