‘He doesn’t hold any grudges’ – Bruno Génésio plays down Chancel Mbemba’s Marseille reunion | OneFootball

Chancel Mbemba had not played club football for an entire season before he left Olympique de Marseille as a free agent in the summer for Lille OSC. The centre-back, once a prominent figure in the Marseille dressing room, had been pushed into the background during a tense and prolonged exit. 

During the 2024 summer transfer window, Marseille were in the process of cleaning house following the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi. Players on high-earning contracts like Jordan Veretout, Samuel Gigot, and Mbemba were placed in the ‘loft’ and encouraged to find new clubs. 

Veretout and Gigot both departed, while Mbemba remained in place. The defender was in various conflicts with the club and forced to train with the reserves until he was reinstated into the first team squad due to the professional football charter in October 2024. 

Despite the change in situation, Mbemba remained on the outside. He trained with the first team squad, but was not included in video sessions or the tactical set-ups, and never came close to being included in a matchday squad. 

There was interest in the winter transfer window, but Mbemba reportedly turned down offers from Stade Rennais, Montpellier HSC, and Saudi Arabian clubs before leaving at the end of his contract during the summer. 

Regardless of how his final season went, his current head coach, Bruno Génésio, assured reporters ahead of Lille’s meeting with Marseille tonight that Mbemba holds no harsh feelings towards his former employer. Génésio said, “From what he’s told me, even though Chancel isn’t the most talkative, he doesn’t hold any grudges against Marseille or the people there.” 

Génésio continued, “I sense he’s very detached today, even though he was affected and marked by this episode. But I don’t sense any negative feelings towards the club we’re going to face [this weekend].” 

GFFN | Nick Hartland