André Villas-Boas: Marseille won’t participate in winter transfer

Olympique de Marseille boss, André Villas-Boas, has again insisted that the Ligue one side won’t be participating in the winter transfer window unless the club makes room by selling off some players.

With the transfer window officially opened, the former Chelsea manager has not changed his stance as he has been saying for weeks.

Speaking after his team survived a scare against Trélissac in the Coupe de France round of 64, which they won on penalties after laying 1-1 during regulation time, the coach said Marseille could only buy when it sells, adding that is the information from the club owner.

Still Speaking on transfers, he said Florian Chabrolle, Alexandre Philiponeau, could be loaned out to get some game time experience. At the same time, Netherland midfielder Kevin Strootman is set to leave the club he joined last summer.

Speaking on the absence of World Cup-winning France winger Florian Thauvin, who has been out of action since the beginning of the season with an ankle injury,

Vilas-Boas revealed that the Frenchman has resumed training on Monday and is on track to return to action in about a month. This he described as a welcome development for the cash-strapped giants.

He added that the club is aiming for his return in February.

According to the manager, he has started running on Alter G (an anti-gravity treadmill that lightens the load on injured limbs), and the club is sticking to a plan of late January or early February for a return to full training for him.

Marseille, which is occupying the second spot on the top flight, will travel to third-placed Rennes for their Week 20 clash on Friday night.

Marseille has 38 points from 19 games. They have recorded 11 wins, five draws, and three losses.

The club also has a goal difference of 8 compared to Paris Saint Germain that is topping the log with 45 points from 18 games and +33 goals difference.

PSG could maintain the seven point gap if it defeats Monaco, who just signed former Spain coach, Robert Moreno.

Marseille are backed at 2.69 to defeat Stade Rennes, while Rennes are fancied at 2.79.

 

 

 

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed