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.
He has made a formal demand: First-team football
Mind
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Stung by a half-time roasting
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
He has started to want: Out, anywhere
Mind
He has said it out loud: First-team football
Mind
Left out of the matchday squad
Minor
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Likely to settle unless repeated within the next few weeks.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Worried by competition from a new signing Matheus Bahia
Moderate
Cause
He was already short on minutes before the signing arrived.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from Sarmiento
Minor
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. It would offer an escape from his current situation. A bid has already been rejected. He wants the club to listen if a serious bid arrives. Playing time would likely improve.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Manager broke a promise
Serious
Cause
Even an honest tone was resented given the strained relationship.
Praised in a satisfied full-time talk
Minor
Cause
The team had won, and the manager wanted to reinforce the standards. His professionalism usually steers him back from these moments.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Worried by competition from a new signing Diego Costa
Moderate
Cause
The new arrival has visibly higher ability. The newcomer is on a much larger wage deal.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.
Frustrated by his tactical role
Serious
Cause
A change in shape has shifted what is being asked of him.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Hard conversation with the manager about playing time
Moderate
Cause
The discussion focused on playing time.
Left out of the matchday squad
Moderate
Cause
The current formation has no natural role for him.
Outlook
Repeated incidents may damage dressing-room status.