Marseille President Defends Signing of Mason Greenwood: No Regrets Over Deal
Marseille club president, Pablo Longoria, has defended the decision to sign Mason Greenwood from Manchester United, stating that the club “looked at all the information” and has no regrets over the deal. Despite facing criticism from the local mayor, Longoria remains confident in the decision and believes that they made the best choice for the club.
The controversy surrounding Greenwood stems from serious charges that were dropped in February 2023, including attempted rape and assault. However, Marseille conducted a thorough assessment of the situation and decided to proceed with the signing. Longoria stated at the Thinking Football Summit that the comments from the mayor were made without all the information and that the opposition they faced actually empowered them to make an informed decision.
When asked about the criticism and whether it has led to any regrets, Longoria responded by saying, “We took the decision internally. OK, there was some opposition, that was objective, but at the same time that gave us power to maybe not investigate, because I am not a judge, but to use all the information to take the best decision, which I think we did.”
Despite the controversy surrounding Greenwood, Marseille had faith in his talent and believed in his potential. The club’s coach, Roberto de Zerbi, was familiar with Mason from the past, which played a significant role in their decision to sign him. Longoria emphasized the numerous conversations they had leading up to the move and expressed his satisfaction with Greenwood’s performance and behavior since joining the team.
Since joining Marseille, Greenwood has made an immediate impact, scoring five goals in just three matches. However, despite his impressive performances, England’s caretaker manager, Lee Carsley, has stated that Greenwood is not being considered for the national team. When questioned about this, Longoria refrained from commenting, stating that he prefers to focus on Greenwood’s contributions to Marseille and respects everyone involved.
It is worth noting that Marseille has undergone a significant squad overhaul under the guidance of new manager Roberto de Zerbi, who joined the club after leaving Brighton this summer. Greenwood’s goals have been instrumental in helping the team maintain an undefeated start to the season.
In conclusion, Marseille’s president, Pablo Longoria, stands by the decision to sign Mason Greenwood and has no regrets over the deal. Despite facing criticism and opposition, the club conducted a thorough assessment and used all available information to make an informed decision. Greenwood’s impressive performances since joining Marseille have validated the club’s faith in his talent. While he may not be considered for the England national team at present, his contributions to Marseille have been significant, and the club is pleased with his behavior and performance on the field.