Roberto De Zerbi has left Leandro Trossard out of his squad for the FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough as the Brighton boss insists he ‘wants more’ from the 28-year-old ‘because he can play better’
Leandro Trossard has been left out of Brighton’s squad to face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round.
The Belgian winger has played a key part in the Seagulls’ Premier League successes since joining the club in 2019, but Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is unhappy with his workrate.
With speculation mounting linking Trossard with a move away from the Amex, De Zerbi left the 28-year-old on the bench for the first time this season as the club beat Everton.
Leandro Trossard was left out of Brighton’s squad as the club travel to Middlesbrough for an FA Cup tie
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear he wants more from the 28-year-old.
In an interview with The Athletic, De Zerbi insisted he appreciated Trossard, but the Belgium international could ‘play better’.
‘I think he is one of the best players for us and one of the most important players for us. I always want to play with Leo in the first eleven, but it doesn’t just depend on me, it depends on Leo.
‘I don’t know, but for me I want players who work for the team on the pitch and Leandro knows very well my opinion, my idea. I have talked to him many times.
Trossard is Brighton’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with seven goals in 16 appearances
“I like him as a player, but I want more from him, because he can play better, he can work harder, he can run more on the pitch and I like players who give 100 percent to every training session and every game.
‘Without these qualities, then they cannot play with me.’
Trossard is Brighton’s top scorer in the league this season, netting seven goals from 16 appearances including a hat-trick in the club’s draw with Liverpool in October.
The former Genk star’s contract on the south coast expires at the end of the season, but Brighton have the option to extend his deal by another year.
