Their personalities have rubbed against each other for a while now. It played out behind the dressing-room door, away from the cameras.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from Bournemouth
Moderate
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. It would be a lateral move. A bid has already been rejected. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Warned about his body language
Moderate
Cause
The issue was less about ability and more about his reaction when things went wrong. His match rating of 6.0 weighed heavily in the talk.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Away supporters were hostile
Moderate
Cause
He drew sustained jeers from the away end.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. He handles pressure well, which helped the moment land.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Stage: concrete interest. The interested club has formally approached. It would be a lateral move. His ambition makes the link hard to ignore. The talk has begun to distract him.
Outlook
Expectations may build after a stand-out moment.
Stayed on the bench while Alex Iwobi took the slot
Minor
Chosen instead
Alex Iwobi was preferred — his higher squad-status priority.
Cause
His squad status would normally start, so the omission stings.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.