Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares’ recent performances at Marseille have been heavily criticised, with his attitude being slammed as “nonchalant in defence” and “getting worse”.
Speaking this week, Football Club de Marseille, [via Coeur Marseillais], pointed out that Tavares was at fault for the first goal in a recent 2-2 draw against Strasbourg, making poor choices and his wrong runs highlighted.
There are concerns that his promising loan, which has seen him score six goals, could ‘turn into a nightmare’, and this poor form and attitude may lead to an end of his time at Arsenal.
“Tavares is getting worse and worse,” FCdM said. “Marseille as a whole are less performative, but certain individuals are too.
“It’s the case of the Portuguese, who frustrates both in his choices and his attitude. On the left, he often made the wrong choices, lost 25 balls through poor passes or wrong runs.
“He crosses to the front post when Malinovskyi is free at the back post.
“The worst remains his attitude, nonchalant in defence. He jogs and doesn’t seem bothered.
“He’s at fault for the first goal, not watching the ball and allowing Alohou to shoot. On the equaliser, he allows the cross, too far from the his man and lack of aggression.”
Can’t defend: Marseille ‘categorically reject’ signing Nuno Tavares permanently
French club Olympique de Marseille are unlikely to make Nuno Tavares’ loan move from Arsenal permanent, according to La Provence due to his defensive problems.
Nuno Tavares, who was bought by Arsenal from Benfica for €8m in 2021, was loaned out to Marseille at the beginning of the current season.
He has made 30 appearances for the club, scoring six goals, and is currently Les Phocéens’ second top scorer in Ligue 1, behind former Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez.
However, Arsenal have ruled out the possibility of a further loan for the player, and Marseille have categorically rejected the idea of a permanent transfer.
Tavares still has 24 months remaining on his contract with Arsenal, which makes it unlikely that Arsenal will loan him out again.
The Portuguese left-back has 12 matches left at OM, and he hopes to finish the season still in the first team before returning to London.
Former Marseille player Eric Di Meco has criticised Tavares’ performance, stating that the Portuguese left-back has too many defensive problems to be a defender and is not strong enough offensively to be an attacker.
Di Meco added that Tavares has not improved despite having a lot of playing time, and still has the same faults and the same qualities as at the start of the season.
The former Marseille player also noted that when the level of opponent rises a notch against clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham or Frankfurt, Tavares disappears.