After a successful yet tumultuous start to his career with Olympique de Marseille, Mason Greenwood finds himself in a precarious position as reports throw uncertainty on his future at the French club.
Having joined Marseille in the summer of 2024 from Manchester United for a fee of £26 million, Greenwood's tenure had been characterized both by personal redemption and professional scrutiny. The former Manchester United player turned heads in the Ligue 1 with an impressive 15 goals, placing him second only to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele as of March 2025. Overall, his performance boasts 16 goals and three assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. These contributions have kept Marseille in the race for Champions League qualification, currently positioning them in second place in the league — though they trail PSG by a staggering 19 points.
However, not all is well in the Marseille camp. The relationship between Greenwood and head coach Roberto De Zerbi has experienced significant strain. Reports have emerged detailing De Zerbi's frustration regarding Greenwood’s effort and application in training. Following a match against Lens, where Marseille suffered a 1-0 defeat, De Zerbi was quoted expressing disappointment, leaving some players shocked. “I expect more from him,” he claimed. “He has to do more because what he is currently showing is not enough. If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more, and be more determined.”
The fallout from this disagreement left Greenwood benched for subsequent matches, a decision that De Zerbi explained was necessitated by physical condition rather than tactics alone. Following the loss to PSG, he remarked, “Mason is a crucial player for us... but he has to be in good physical condition. It’s very important at this time of the season.” While Greenwood demonstrated potential on the pitch, De Zerbi has explicitly stated he will not tolerate complacency, having previously criticized Greenwood for failing to meet expectations during key games.
These tensions have made it clear that Greenwood must adapt quickly or risk losing his spot in the team. RMC Sport posited that if the issues remain unresolved, there’s a strong likelihood of him being sold during the summer transfer window. As noted by French journalist Florent Germain, “He is a player that can make a big difference but honestly, if he doesn’t react, questions will be asked about a departure for Greenwood this summer.”
Despite De Zerbi’s critique on Greenwood's application overall, the coach had previously emphasized his respect for the forward. “No one can have more respect for him than I do,” De Zerbi remarked at the start of March, reiterating that performance is key in his evaluations. This divide has not only raised concerns internally but also sparked interest from other major European clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid — all monitoring Greenwood's situation avidly.
Adding to the complexity of Greenwood's current affairs, he officially switched his international allegiance to Jamaica earlier in March 2025, having previously earned just one cap for England back in 2020. This move was likely motivated by a desire for more regular representation on the international stage, something he has been deprived of of since his exit from United.
As fans and analysts scrutinize the evolving relationship between Greenwood and De Zerbi, the coming months will be telling. While it is clear that Mason Greenwood’s future at Marseille hangs in the balance, the potential for him to become a cornerstone for the club exists — provided he internalizes the feedback and adjusts his approach.
For now, the summer of 2025 promises to be pivotal for the young forward. With the clock ticking on his time to prove himself, the upcoming weeks may very well determine whether he remains a fixture in Marseille or seeks new beginnings elsewhere.
