Several solid weeks have made him an undisputed pick.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
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 does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Called up to the national team for the first time
Major
Cause
His club performances earned him a first national-team selection.
Made his national team debut
He has started to want: A place in the national squad
Mind
Criticised in a full-time post-mortem
Minor
Cause
It was a private show of faith after a tough recent run. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Manager intervention may be required if it persists.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Led the defence in a tight match
Minor
Cause
He held the back line together when the game was hanging in the balance.
Reassured by a calm full-time message
Minor
Cause
The moment called for a quiet show of support. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Reassured by the manager's half-time message
Minor
Cause
The team were behind, and the manager needed a response. He does not always respond well to pressure, which softened the lift.
Outlook
Trend is improving — relationship should keep strengthening.
Praised privately for his recent performance
Serious
Cause
The discussion focused on his recent performance level.
Unsettled by the squad wage hierarchy
Moderate
Cause
The squad's wage hierarchy is the underlying issue. The gap to the squad's top earners has become a daily reminder.
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Named team captain
Major
Cause
The manager and senior staff settled on him to lead the squad.
Wants European football
Serious
Cause
He is at an age where he expects Champions League / Europa football, and the club cannot offer it. (He is openly ambitious.; The club has no realistic path to continental football.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Wants the board to strengthen the squad
Moderate
Cause
He feels the squad around him is not strong enough to match his ambition. (He is openly ambitious.; The squad's quality sits below his own level.)
Outlook
Contract request risk increased.
Anxious about his expiring contract
Signed a new contract
Moderate
Cause
He committed to the project on terms both sides could live with.
Frustrated after the club rejected interest from VfB Stuttgart
Moderate
Cause
Stage: the bid was rejected. It became public after the bid was rejected. European competition opportunity A bid has already been rejected. He wants the club to listen if a serious bid arrives. It would be a clear sporting upgrade.