Suspicions arise about Jonathan Clauss’ injury | OneFootball

Franck Haise has called into question the extent of an injury sustained by Jonathan Clauss. The France international will miss OGC Nice’s game against Lille OSC on Wednesday, having come off injured against Stade Rennais at half-time on Sunday.

It was Clauss himself who asked to come off with a knee issue. Yesterday, L’Équipe reported that the defender would be out for several weeks. Haise, responding to the report, said, “On Monday, there wasn’t much. It didn’t even require further tests. What is certain is that, if he is to be absent for several weeks, it isn’t because of his knee,” said the Nice manager. 

The situation seems tense. Clauss is close to Haise since their time together at RC Lens, but the former wanted to leave the club over the summer, amid talks with Bayer Leverkusen. There is an implicit accusation that Clauss is exaggerating his injury in order to extend his period of absence. 

There is a suspicion internally at Nice that Clauss has yet to fully move past that failed move to Bayer Leverkusen, and, on top of that, he is trying to limit his appearances so as not to trigger a contract extension. That extension would be automatically triggered should he make a certain number of appearances, thought to be around 20, this season, L’Équipe understands. His current contract is up at the end of the campaign.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle