Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has told star forward Mason Greenwood how to become a "great top player" like Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe. The Italian has been singing the praises of the ex-Manchester United man but he also wants more from him ahead of facing Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Greenwood set Mbappe and Dembele challenge
Greenwood has scored 24 goals in 40 games for Marseille to date but head coach De Zerbi is confident he can reach greater heights if he adds certain elements to his game. The Italian believes Madrid's Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain's Dembele have an important ingredient, and now he wants the 23-year-old to follow in their footsteps.
AdvertisementAFPWhat De Zerbi said about Greenwood
The Italian said on Greenwood: "He also worked on the defensive side, the pressing. He hasn't always worked in that direction, but when he wants to, he does it. You have to understand if he wants to become a great top player, he has to run without the ball. I saw Mbappé, Dembélé put pressure without the ball. Greenwood has to do it, too."
Mbappe and Dembele vs Greenwood
Greenwood had the best season of his career in 2024-25 but Mbappe and Dembele comfortably outscored the one-time England international. The Los Blancos star had 49 goal contributions last term and the PSG ace bagged 51 of his own. So the Marseille attacker has some way to go to reach their lofty levels.
AFPWhat next for Marseille and Greenwood?
Greenwood will get a chance to prove himself against Mbappe's Madrid and Dembele's PSG over the next week. De Zerbi's team travel to Spain on Tuesday for their Champions League opener, before hosting the Ligue 1 champions on Sunday.
