Metz captain Udol is refusing to train and wants to leave his hometown club
Udol was born in Metz and has played almost his entire career for his hometown club, making 185 appearances since 2015 as a solid left back. But he did not turn up when preseason training began on Monday, putting coach Stéphane Le Mignan in a difficult spot.
'We're disappointed that he's not with us, and it's upsetting because he's our captain,' Le Mignan said on Tuesday at a news conference. 'I spoke to him on the phone before the restart and he told me he wanted to leave. It's not a pleasant situation, but we're here to move forward, so I'm focusing on the pitch and the players who want to work."
Udol has two years left on his contract and Metz could make some much-needed money selling him with budgets restricted amid low TV revenue this season. Le Mignan is feeling somewhat torn, though, saying Metz stuck by Udol through several knee injuries.
'We have a player who has been loyal to the club, but the club has also been loyal in difficult situations,' Le Mignan said.
'I have discussed this with the president of course, because it is very important both from a sporting and financial point of view. I don't know how the situation will develop.'
Midfielder Gauthier Hein, the club's key player when it won a relegation-promotion playoff against Reims in May to earn promotion, is also caught in two minds.
"We need Matthieu in the team this season and we would be very happy if he stayed," Hein said. 'But as his best friend, I also have to think about his wellbeing as a person I want him to flourish, no matter where.'
Metz starts its campaign in mid-August at home to Strasbourg. ___
soccer: /hub/soccer
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Marseille Put Adrien Rabiot, Jonathan Rowe Up For Sale Following Altercation After Rennes Defeat
Frenchman Rabiot and English forward Rowe were involved in a heated exchange in the dressing room after their 0-1 loss to Rennes in their Ligue 1 opener. Ligue 1 side Marseille placed Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe on the transfer list on the back of a physical altercation following the team's 0-1 defeat at the hands of Rennes in the season opener. Frenchman Rabiot and English forward Rowe were involved in a heated exchange in the dressing room after their loss to Rennes, who edged out Marseille with a stoppage-time strike despite being down to ten men for over an hour. Reports suggest that Rowe felt targeted Rabiot by his comments on the player's commitment and went on to slap the Frenchman, before blows were exchanged. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi, his staff and Medhi Benatia stepped in to break up the squalour. Marseille described the players' behaviour as unacceptable in a brief club statement explaining the decision to put both of them up for sale. Rabiot and Rowe were informed of the decision on Monday. Initially, Marseille denied reports of a fight. However, a source close to the club confirmed a report from the French sports daily L'Equipe that said blows were exchanged between the two men. Rabiot, 30, joined Marseille last season after five years with Juventus and helped the club qualify for the Champions League. Rowe, 22, signed from Norwich last year and scored three times in 28 games in his first season in Ligue 1. This is not his first conflict with a club or country. He left Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after being sidelined for six months over a contract issue. He also refused to join France's standby list for the 2018 World Cup, and coach Didier Deschamps did not select him for two years as a result. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Adrien Rabiot, Jonathan Rowe Put Up For Sale By Marseille After Bust-Up
Marseille duo Adrien Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe were placed on the club's transfer list Tuesday after a physical altercation following the 1-0 loss at Rennes in the Ligue 1 season opener. France midfielder Rabiot and England Under-21 forward Rowe were involved in a heated exchange in the team's dressing room after Friday's match, which Rennes won with a stoppage-time goal despite playing for an hour with 10 men. Marseille called the players' behaviour "unacceptable" in a brief club statement which explained the decision to put both of them up for sale. Rabiot and Rowe were informed of the news on Monday, it said. Rabiot's mother and agent, Veronique, told RTL radio earlier on Tuesday that Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi had taken the decision due to a "lack of commitment". Marseille initially denied reports of a fight, but a source close to the club confirmed to AFP a report from French sports daily L'Equipe that said "blows were exchanged between the two men". The 30-year-old Rabiot joined Marseille last season after five years with Juventus and helped the club qualify for the Champions League. It is not his first run-in with club or country though, having left Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after being sidelined for six months over a contract issue. He also refused to go on France's standby list ahead of the 2018 World Cup and was not selected by coach Didier Deschamps for two years as a result. Rowe, 22, signed from Norwich last year and scored three times in 28 games in his first season in Ligue 1.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Nottingham Forest sign Arnaud Kalimuendo on a five-year deal
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Arnaud Kalimuendo, who joins the Club on a five-year deal. The 23-year-old enjoyed a fine season in Ligue 1 in 2024/25, scoring 18 goals and registering four assists in 34 appearances for Stade Rennais. The Frenchman started his career with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the age of ten, working his way through the Academy in the French capital. Aged just 16, the forward made his debut for the under-19 squad in the UEFA Youth League. He made his official first team debut in 2020, signing a contract extension with the 13-time French champions the same year. 'When I heard about the interest from Forest, I was honoured. This is a proud moment for me, joining a team that had a strong season last year and a Club with great history. 'I'm ready for the challenge, and I arrive here with good experience. I had a good season last year with goals and assists, but I want more and want to reach a new level here. 'I can't wait to play in the Premier League, and to play at the City Ground. I watched games from last season, and it's clear that the fans create a beautiful atmosphere. I'm excited to see them and impatient to get started," said Kalimuendo. After enjoying two successful loan spells at Lens, where he netted 21 times in 65 appearances, Kalimuendo ended his ten-year association with PSG, moving to Brittany to sign for Rennes in August 2022. Kalimuendo played in the Europa League in his first two seasons for the Ligue 1 side and has gone on to play over 100 times, scoring 40 goals. Operating primarily as a centre-forward but with the ability to stretch defenders and play out wide, Kalimuendo is an agile forward who arrives on Trentside after his best goalscoring season. Chief Football Officer, Ross Wilson said, 'It's been a busy few days for us — the culmination of a lot of hard work from our staff over a number of weeks. 'Arnaud is someone whose progress we've followed closely across PSG, Lens, and Rennes, and we're delighted that the next step in his journey will be here in Nottingham. 'He's arriving with real excitement and big energy, and we look forward to seeing that on the pitch.'
