The appointment of Leonardo Balerdi as captain of Olympique de Marseille continues to divide. Despite a slight recent improvement, the Argentinian is struggling to convince some former members of the club, notably Souleymane Diawara, who did not mince his words about him.
Diawara skeptical of Balerdi’s leadership
Invited to speak on Free Ligue 1Souleymane Diawara shared his doubts about Balerdi’s ability to take on the role of captain. “I have nothing against Balerdi, but I didn’t know him before last year. When I was told he was captain, I expected something else. When you are captain, there are things that must not pass”declared the former Senegalese defender. A veiled criticism which reflects the skepticism surrounding the 25-year-old, especially after a mixed start to the season.
Despite the criticism, Roberto De Zerbi, the OM coach, maintains his confidence in Balerdi, who kept the armband even after the return of Valentin Rongier to the starting lineup. The move to a three-man defense has allowed the Argentine to stabilize his game, but expectations remain high to confirm his leadership role.
