Igor Paixao still seeking lift-off at Marseille | OneFootball

Igor Paixao arrived at Marseille as a club-record buy from Feyenoord, a left-sided threat in the Eredivisie. His early months have been about adaptation under Roberto De Zerbi.

According to GetFootballNewsFrance.com, the 2024/25 Dutch Footballer of the Year left Rotterdam after 18 goals and 19 assists and regular Champions League appearances.

A delayed start through injury and the physical jolt of Ligue 1 slowed his lift-off, and mirroring Mason Greenwood was never realistic. He has since moved inside from the touchline, with movement, industry and availability between the lines making him a tactical necessity. Christophe Dugarry has praised his intelligence and mentality.

The workload has been heavy, with injuries elsewhere meaning he often starts. De Zerbi accepts fatigue can blur his choices in the final third, yet he remains integral to the collective.

The numbers show progress and headroom. Paixão has scored four in six in the Champions League and three in Ligue 1, looking more at ease in Europe. His adaptability has also trimmed his individual output, which can make for uneven viewing.

There is a trade-off. He has been caught out of position at times, and with Greenwood thriving on the other flank, defensive duties have come first. That flexibility explains why he rarely leaves the XI.

At 25, he is still calibrating attack and defence. Marseille have not yet seen the explosion he delivered in the Netherlands, but they have gained a system winger. A touch more punch in front of goal and the ceiling remains high.

Source: GetFootballNewsFrance.com