Marseille's Managerial Challenge: Balancing Nwaneri and Greenwood
The future of Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri at Marseille hinges significantly on how new manager Habib Beye addresses the tactical conundrum posed by Mason Greenwood's presence. The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined the French club in January, initially made a sensational impact but now finds himself competing directly with one of the team's most prolific performers.
Nwaneri's Promising Start and Subsequent Setbacks
Ethan Nwaneri's arrival at Marseille was marked by immediate success, as he secured a starting position just one day after finalising his loan move from Arsenal. His fairytale debut against Lens in January saw him score a sublime goal in a 3-1 victory, quickly endearing him to fans and then-manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The teenager featured in four consecutive matches, demonstrating his potential on the European stage. However, his early promise was tempered by being substituted at halftime twice, indicating some tactical adjustments were needed. The situation grew more complex when De Zerbi departed the club following a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG earlier this month.
Under caretaker manager Jacques Abardonado, Nwaneri remained on the bench throughout an entire fixture. He later managed just twenty minutes of play under new boss Habib Beye during a loss to Brest last week, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding his role in the evolving squad structure.
The Greenwood Factor: Marseille's Star Performer
Mason Greenwood has established himself as a crucial asset for Marseille this season, scoring an impressive twenty-three goals across all competitions. His consistent performances have made him virtually indispensable to the team's attacking strategy, creating a significant challenge for Nwaneri who occupies similar positions on the field.
Journalist Fabrice Lamperti, who covers Marseille for La Provence, explained the positional overlap. "Nwaneri's problem is that he plays in the same area as Greenwood, OM's X-factor," Lamperti noted. "De Zerbi tried to put them together, but this led him to shift Greenwood to the left, which he didn't understand. Now it's up to Beye to make his mark."
Reflecting on Nwaneri's memorable debut, Lamperti added: "Seeing him start so quickly was a surprise, especially in such an important match as the one against Lens. He played in a hybrid role, mostly as a right winger to give Mason Greenwood a rest, but also deeper in midfield. He scored a sublime goal but, above all, was very good in open play."
Beye's Tactical Approach and Future Implications
Habib Beye's appointment signals a notable departure from De Zerbi's philosophical approach, with the new manager implementing a more direct and vertical style of play. This tactical shift could influence Nwaneri's opportunities, as Beye evaluates how best to utilise the young Arsenal talent within his system.
Marseille's concerning form—with just one victory in their previous six matches since Nwaneri's debut—may prompt Beye to adopt a more conservative selection policy. However, during the recent match against Brest, Beye demonstrated willingness to deploy both players together, introducing Nwaneri as a substitute for striker Amine Gouiri while moving Greenwood into a more central position.
Although this tactical adjustment failed to produce a positive result, it indicated Beye's openness to experimenting with the duo's compatibility on the field. Nwaneri has had additional opportunities to impress his new manager during training sessions this week, with competition for starting positions intensifying ahead of Sunday's crucial match against Lyon.
Champions League Ambitions and Selection Decisions
Marseille currently occupy fourth place in Ligue 1, with Champions League qualification representing a primary objective for the remainder of the season. This heightened stakes environment places additional pressure on Beye to make optimal selection decisions that balance immediate results with player development.
The resolution of the Nwaneri-Greenwood dilemma will significantly impact Marseille's tactical flexibility and attacking options during the final stages of the campaign. As Beye continues to assess his squad and implement his preferred system, Nwaneri's ability to adapt and demonstrate value in training will be crucial to securing more consistent playing time.
With both players possessing distinct qualities that could complement Marseille's ambitions, Beye faces the challenging task of maximising their contributions while maintaining team cohesion and competitive performance levels in pursuit of European football next season.
