Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Signed a new contract
Moderate
Cause
He committed to the project on terms both sides could live with.
His club is fighting to avoid relegation
Serious
Cause
The points gap to safety, with matches running out, is the issue.
Criticised by the manager after his performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Criticised by the manager after his performance
Minor
Cause
A calm conversation but he wasn't moved either way.
Settling well into the dressing room
Minor
Cause
A strong training-ground partnership is behind this. The bond between them was already strong, so the morale hit should be limited.
Outlook
Settling-in period is still under way.
Wants to head back home
Serious
Cause
After a long, difficult settling period he is openly hoping for a move home or to a familiar club. (The move took him to a different continent.; He still does not speak the local language.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Still struggling to settle into the squad
Moderate
Cause
He has not yet made the connections that come naturally to most signings.