Former Liverpool players are definitely struggling in the Bundesliga. Last season, Sadio Mané went from star recruit for Bayern Munich to plague after his falling out with Leroy Sané following the defeat in the Champions League against Manchester City. At fault since he had hit his teammate, the winger received a large fine while being suspended for a match by his management before being reinstated. This is more or less what is happening today to his former teammate at the Reds, Naby Keïta. After five years with the Mersey club, the Guinean decided to return to Germany.
134 days of absence this season
A country where he had shone in the jersey of RB Leipzig, after stints with Istres and Salzburg. Back last summer, he signed for three years for Werder Bremen. But his adventure there took a completely unexpected turn. Like in Liverpool, he spent a lot of time in the infirmary. In fact, the specialized site transfermarkt explains that he has been stopped six times this season. He began this exercise with a torn adductor muscle in July. Which caused him to miss 64 days of competition and 5 matches in all competitions.
Then, he was on the sidelines again in October after a muscle injury (45 days of absence, 4 missed matches). He was then arrested due to flu infections or fatigue (25 days of absence in total, 4 missed matches). Thus, he was absent 134 days in total (13 missed meetings). A hard blow for Werder, who could not count on him much. Because in addition to the injuries, the 29-year-old was absent for a few weeks to participate in the African Cup of Nations with Guinea (4 matches played).
Only 5 appearances
He has therefore played only 5 games with the German team this season, including 2 in 2024 (29 minutes played over the calendar year). The last one dates back to March 30. It was during the 2-0 defeat against Wolfsburg. His final appearance in the Bremen jersey since he will not play for the club again. Indeed, last weekend, the rag burned between his club and him. Keïta did not appreciate not being started against Bayer Leverkusen and sulked before deciding that he would not play. An attitude which greatly displeased his management, in particular sports director Clemens Fritz.
“After learning yesterday that Naby would not play from the start, he decided not to get on the bus but to return home. We will speak tomorrow with him and his advisor about the consequences and the course of events.” In the process, the main person defended himself on his social networks. “I would like to speak here to clarify my situation with my club, Werder Bremen. Since the first day I signed for this great club, I have always worked selflessly and professionally.”
An attitude that shocked
He added : “my only wish has always been to help the club and bring joy to the many supporters, especially at a time when the results are not what we would like. Since the beginning of my career, I have never had any disciplinary problems wherever I have gone and I have always tried to be a role model. I will therefore not accept anyone tarnishing this image. To the fans: I want you to know that I fight in every practice so that I can make you happy every weekend. Training, giving everything, these are the limits of my power. Go Werder!”
But yesterday, the German team decided to punish him severely. “Werder Bremen have suspended Naby Keïta until the end of the season. The club also handed out a substantial fine to the midfielder. The 28-year-old will no longer train with the team and will no longer be part of the first team dressing room., could we read on the press release. The sports director added another layer by pointing out the unacceptable behavior of the midfielder, who let his team down. A burning issue which caused the African media to react, particularly in Guinea.
A divorce and a future to settle
Africa Guinea speaks of a “severe punishment» for the captain of the national Syli. Same observation for Afrik-Foot which titled: “Naby Keita heavily sanctioned!» Then, the African publication added: “the sanction has in fact fallen and it is heavy: the 29-year-old player is suspended until the end of the season, he will train away from the professional group and will pay a “considerable” fine. His bloodshed will therefore not have remained without consequences, and is ultimately only the “apotheosis” of a nightmarish season for the winner of the 2019 Champions League.”
In Germany, the Keïta case is once again mentioned in the columns of Bild, which reveals new details on the subject. Thus, we learn that he will have to pay a fine of 100,000 euros, he whose salary is 2 million euros per year. Regarding his future, the news is not very good. We could have suspected it after he was sidelined. Bild explains that we are heading towards a termination of the player’s contract, which he arrived for free a year ago. Both parties, disappointed, will try to put an end to it as quickly as possible. Free, he will be able to discuss and sign with the club of his choice. There will surely be suitors, even if the player has accumulated injuries.
