Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc admitted yesterday that a “behavioural problem” concerning striker Edinson Cavani had been discussed during a team meeting at their recent training camp in Doha. Uruguayan Cavani, 28, is said to be unhappy at being played out wide rather than his preferred central role with the French champions, faced with competition from Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“There was a meeting in Doha and there were six of us participating, not five. We do this regularly to discuss various things, discuss some issues ... We spoke about Cavani, but he wasn’t the principal subject. Cavani isn’t a problem. But there was a situation to judge, a behavioural problem,” Blanc said. “We discussed a specific problem concerning Cavani as in the past we have spoken about other players.”
French sports daily L’Equipe reported of “a new unease” among the PSG players concerning the Uruguayan, whose situation was discussed in Doha on December 30 during a meeting between Blanc and four players—Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Thiago Motta and Blaise Matuidi.
Members of the squad were reportedly unhappy that the Uruguayan left on holidays two days before everyone else and seemed to be allowed to come and go as he wished.
The episode echoed back to his delayed return from South America in January 2015, which saw him suspended for two matches. The problem then also concerned Ezequiel Lavezzi who was also penalised at the time.
Blanc refused to discuss if there would again be sanctions against Cavani, who has not featured since his return, with PSG having registered wins against Wasquehal in the French Cup and Bastia in Ligue 1.
Italy boycott Ballon d’Or over Buffon absence
Italy coach Antonio Conte and captain Gianluigi Buffon did not participate in the Ballon d’Or vote at the request of their federation in protest at Buffon’s absence from the list of candidates, Italian media reported.
The veteran Juventus goalkeeper did not make the preliminary list released in October with five goalkeepers chosen ahead of him—Manuel Neuer, Iker Casillas, Thibaut Courtois, Claudio Bravo and David Ospina.
And in the voting list released by FIFA on Monday night after Argentina and Barcelona star Lionel Messi won a record fifth award for the world’s best player, the results for the Italian coach and captain were missing, although the Italian journalist voted.
Sports dailies Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport reported that Conte and Buffon had not voted at the request of the Italian football federation.
Buffon’s absence shocked Italy where it was estimated that he deserved his place more than Porto’s former Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas, Barcelona’s Bravo and Arsenal’s Ospina and as much as Bayern Munich’s Neuer and Chelsea’s Courtois.
At 37 years Buffon is still first choice for his country and Juventus who he helped reach the Champions League final last season. He has had a superb start to the season and is still a stalwart in the Italian team.
Guardiola apologises for speculation fuelling admission
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has apologised for putting some of his Premier League counterparts under pressure by publicly announcing an intention to trade Germany for England at the end of the season.
The former Barcelona boss fuelled speculation over his eventual destination last month when he confirmed he would not extend his contract at Munich with the Spaniard revealing he had received “several offers” from England. The statement sparked talk over whether Guardiola was being lined up to take over at one of the perennial Premier League top four sides; Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea.
Speaking at Bayern’s winter training camp in Doha, Qatar Guardiola apologised for any perceived lack of respect to managers in England. “I’m sorry. It was not my intention to offend anybody. Normally in my career like a trainer, a football player I respect a lot my colleagues,” he told reporters. The Spaniard, however, refused to be drawn on who his next employers would be, saying he would reveal the name of the club only after he had signed a contract.
Edinson Cavani
