Claude Puel announced this week to several locker room executives that he was no longer counting on them at AS Saint-Etienne. But that’s not enough to solve a problem.
The time is not for sentiment at AS Saint-Etienne, because two weeks before the resumption of the Ligue 1 season, which will involve a trip to the Vélodrome to challenge OM, Claude Puel wants his workforce knows what to expect. And if the goalkeeper file was settled quickly, the Greens manager played Father Fouettard this week by announcing to several players of his squad, and not least, that they had to quickly look for a new club under penalty to have to follow the 2020-2021 season in the stands. At the heart of this sweeping sweep imposed by Claude Puel, Yann M’Vila, Ryad Boudebouz and Wahbi Khazri, whose departures would significantly reduce the wage bill of ASSE and therefore recruit one or two more reinforcements.
On paper, this decision by the Saint-Etienne coach is understandable, but there is still a major concern that Le Progrès sums up this Sunday. ” Being upfront with the Khazri, M’Vila and Boudebouz trio, without telling his downgraded executives that they would never wear the green jersey again, Puel showed them the way out. Problem, the offers are not jostling while there are still two years of contract with the three men, to which must be added the cases of Ruffier, Trauco, Palencia and Diony, no more in the odor of sanctity at the Etrat », Explains the regional daily. Indeed, to enter, show the exit and find drop-off points, there is a big gap that AS Saint-Etienne will have to resolve. A priori, this could even involve partial payment of the salaries of the players concerned so that they do not hesitate too much.