Mason Greenwood Leads Marseille’s Pre-Season Charge

Mason Greenwood wasted no time making his presence felt as Olympique de Marseille opened pre-season training at the Robert‐Louis-Dreyfus Centre this week. The England forward, back in Provence after an eye-catching loan spell, was one of the first players through the gates and immediately linked up with freshly-signed Angel Gomes. Under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, the pair were put through an intense double session designed to sharpen sharpness ahead of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign.

Mason Greenwood Sets the Tempo on Day One

Supporters gathered outside the training ground were treated to a first glimpse of Mason Greenwood in De Zerbi’s demanding rondo drills. The 22-year-old looked lean after his short summer break, rattling off sprints, short-range finishing routines and the Italian coach’s trademark positional exercises. Fitness staff reported that Greenwood topped several speed-endurance metrics, underlining his determination to cement a starting berth when Marseille host Metz on the opening weekend.

Angel Gomes Adds Creative Spark

A €25 million arrival from Lille, Angel Gomes slotted naturally into midfield triangles alongside Jordan Veretout and Azzedine Ounahi. The former Manchester United academy captain exchanged quick one-twos with Mason Greenwood in a sequence that drew loud applause from teammates. De Zerbi later told club media that Gomes’ “elastic intelligence” will be critical for unlocking low blocks—something Marseille struggled with during last season’s fifth-place finish.

De Zerbi’s Tactical Blueprint

Roberto De Zerbi’s sessions rarely dip below a frantic tempo. He divided the squad into three colour-coded groups, emphasising vertical passing lanes and rapid counter-pressing once possession was lost. Mason Greenwood was instructed to operate as a hybrid right-winger and central striker, mirroring the role Domenico Berardi played under De Zerbi at Sassuolo. Angel Gomes, meanwhile, tucked into the left-half space, tasked with progressing the ball through tight seams.

Upcoming Friendlies to Test Sharpness

Marseille will fly to Austria on Saturday for a mini-tour featuring matches against Al-Jazira, Red Bull Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb. Coaches want Mason Greenwood logging at least 180 competitive minutes across the three fixtures to accelerate chemistry with Gomes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The club’s analytics department has set performance benchmarks: eight high-intensity runs per 15 minutes for Greenwood, a 90% pass completion in Zone 14 for Gomes, and collective PPDA under 8.

What Greenwood’s Return Means for the Attack

Last season Marseille ranked ninth in Ligue 1 for open-play xG, an underperformance that De Zerbi has pinpointed as priority one. Mason Greenwood’s two-footed finishing and ability to manufacture shots off minimal back-lift should lift that metric. He scored 11 goals in all competitions on loan, eight with his left foot, three with his right, and created 34 chances for colleagues. With Aubameyang ageing and Vitinha still inconsistent, Greenwood’s versatility offers tactical elasticity—he can drift wide to free Aubameyang inside the box or play as a false nine when the Gabonese striker is rested.

Defensive Contributions Not Overlooked

Analysts highlight that Marseille conceded nine goals directly from transitions last term. De Zerbi drilled Mason Greenwood on backward pressing cues: once possession is lost, the forward must take three recovery steps toward the ball before sprinting to block passing lanes. Greenwood averaged 6.4 pressures per 90 in the final third last season; the new target is 10. Gomes will also be crucial, tasked with screening passing angles between the lines.

Transfer Window Still Open

Marseille’s sporting director, Mehdi Benatia, confirmed that talks continue for a left-sided centre-back and a backup goalkeeper. Any arrivals, however, are unlikely to change the prominence of Mason Greenwood in De Zerbi’s plans. Despite interest from Premier League clubs, sources say Marseille intend to trigger the purchase option in Greenwood’s loan, which could cost up to €35 million but would make him a cornerstone of the project through 2029.

Fans Eager for First Home Glimpse

Ticket sales for the July 28 friendly against Real Betis at the Orange Vélodrome surged 20% within an hour of Greenwood’s return being announced on social media. Supporters’ groups, having already composed new chants for Angel Gomes, expect a near-sell-out as they welcome the duo. The club plans an autograph session post-match, giving young fans the chance to meet Mason Greenwood and receive limited-edition posters featuring both ex-Manchester United talents.

Ligue 1 Opener: Key Numbers

• Mason Greenwood: 4.8 touches in the opposition box per 90 last season
• Angel Gomes: 0.27 expected assists per 90 with Lille
• Marseille team pressing intensity: 13.2 PPDA (5th in league)
• Target for 2024-25: Top-three finish and Champions League qualification

Potential Starting XI

Lopez
Clauss Mbemba Balerdi Merlin
Rongier Veretout
Mason Greenwood Gomes Harit
Aubameyang
This alignment maximises Greenwood’s inverted runs while giving Gomes central freedom. De Zerbi may pivot to 4-2-3-1 in tougher away fixtures, sliding Greenwood inside and introducing Iliman Ndiaye out wide.

Financial and Commercial Impact

Club accountants project a 12% rise in shirt sales after unveiling the new navy third kit emblazoned with “Greenwood 12”. Early e-commerce data corroborates the optimism: Mason Greenwood’s name tops searches on the official store, closely followed by Gomes. International broadcasters have also inquired about additional Ligue 1 packages, citing heightened English-language interest.

What the Coach Said

Speaking to reporters, De Zerbi praised both players: “Mason Greenwood gives us decisive quality in the last third, while Angel Gomes connects midfield and attack with imagination. Their chemistry was clear from the first drill.” He added that physical conditioning will be carefully managed, hinting Greenwood might sit out one Austrian friendly to avoid fatigue.

Mason Greenwood Focused on Football

When asked about speculation over his long-term future, Mason Greenwood replied, “My only focus is Marseille, the fans, and helping the team win. Working with Angel again feels natural—we’ve known each other since age six. We want trophies.” The forward finished the morning session signing shirts and taking selfies, reinforcing his commitment to the club’s community initiatives.

Community Outreach

Greenwood and Gomes are scheduled to visit a local youth centre in La Belle‐de‐Mai next week, promoting Marseille’s ‘Tous Ensemble’ program aimed at integrating refugee children through sport. Club officials believe such events strengthen the players’ bond with locals and burnish Marseille’s reputation as more than just a football institution.

Opinion: A Duo That Could Ignite Ligue 1

Seeing Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes reunited under an innovator like Roberto De Zerbi feels like a perfect storm for Marseille. Greenwood’s clinical edge, paired with Gomes’ creativity, addresses last season’s two biggest weaknesses—finishing and chance creation. If De Zerbi’s high-octane philosophy clicks, OM could finally break Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic stranglehold or, at minimum, secure a confident return to the Champions League. The coming friendlies should offer an early barometer, but on day one the omens already look encouraging.