Marseille tried to humble Jonathan Clauss in chaotic story behind failed departure

At Olympique de Marseille, it has been made evident that no player is indispensable under the current president Pablo Longoria. Still, when the news broke in late January that Jonathan Clauss (31) was to be put on the market only a short time before the transfer window closed it was a shock. 

The player had looked as close to indispensable this season as it is possible to get at Marseille. He was a consistent presence for the club in a season where others have failed to meet expectations, and Marseille had relied heavily upon that, making him their most used player. 

Yet this did not stop Clauss from becoming a pariah overnight as the club desperately attempted to force the right back out of the team – a fact that the club now disputes. However, the former RC Lens defender refused to leave and now awaits an unknown reception in the first home game since he became embroiled in a strange saga. 

The inciting incident that began this situation appeared inconsequential. Clauss pulled up injured during a game against AS Monaco in the first half on the 27th of January. The medical staff examined the player and assured him that they were not worried after their initial tests. 

Most teams would be glad of this result, but according to L’Équipe , this news enraged the club hierarchy. They were furious that Clauss could have finished the match and believed that the player was not providing them with his entire effort, and had half an eye on his place in France’s squad for the Summer Euros. 

They believed that this was the third time that Clauss had refused to commit his body to Marseille. The first came against OGC Nice in October, and the second when he asked to be substituted against Stade Rennais in December after he said that