Bordeaux have told Koscielny he won’t play again for the foreseeable future
Former Arsenal defender and captain Laurent Koscielny has been told that he will be excluded from the first-team set-up at Bordeaux indefinitely.
The 36-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Ligue 1 strugglers this season and with Bordeaux languishing 17th in the table, have made the decision to deem Koscielny, Paul Baysse and Mehdi Zerkane surplus to requirements, as per RMC Sport.
It’s reported the decision has been made solely down to the poor form the former France international has shown over the course of the season and as a result of no longer being considered for the first-team, will relinquish his role as captain as Bordeaux now attempt to sell him in order to reduce their wage bill.
The 36-year-old’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, meaning should a potential suitor not come in for him before the end of the month, will likely depart the French club for nothing in the summer.
Last year, Koscielny publicly called out his teammates, accusing many of them not wanting to be at the club.
He said: “The atmosphere is average, even very average, you have to be realistic.
“Some are at the end of their contract, and others want to leave, that’s the reality of the group. You have to stay with those who want to fight and progress.
“When you have so many players who don’t make you want to work, or progress, it’s difficult to get results. That’s why I can be mean in my words.”
Baysse and Zerkane, who were also ostracised from the first-team, have been told that they will train with the reserves whilst other first-team members Samuel Kalu, Otavio and Josh Maja have all be warned the same fate may happen to them after a number of below-par performances.
Related links:
- The ingenious method used by Toronto to sign Lorenzo Insigne
- Ralf Rangnick ‘doesn’t know’ why Marcus Rashford is struggling
- Konyaspor player Ahmet Çalık tragically dies aged 27
