Crystal Palace striker Michy Batshuayi ‘could do without’ the reports of a training ground bust-up with teammate Luka Milivojevic.
Recent reports before this week’s clash with Arsenal suggested the pair had something of a falling out in the Eagles preparation for the match with the Gunners.
According to the claim, the pair came to blows after Batshuayi went a little too hard in a training drill, prompting an angry reaction from the Serbian.
Batshuayi’s absence in the game the following evening raised concerns of something more, particularly as Milivojevic was a starter.
Crystal Palace are yet to deny the story and Het Laatste Nieuws say this is bad for Batshuayi, who could ‘do without the negative publicity’.
They explain that in his current situation – he’s barely featured since signing on loan from Chelsea in the summer – the leak about the fight is ‘inconvenient’.
That’s because, while the incident had nothing to do with the player’s lack of chances this season, that is the impression that has been created.
The newspaper argue that simply wasn’t the case, though, and the Crystal Palace player simply kicked a ball at a teammate a little too hard. Nothing more, nothing less.
But the negativity and reports make life even tougher for a player that has struggled this season and needs to look attractive to suitors in the summer.
Chelsea, for the time being, aren’t thinking about recalling him despite his lack of playing time and are hopeful he can get time and chances to boost his market value in the coming months.
That won’t be helped by these latest reports, though, which are helping to create an image of the player that HLN argue simply isn’t a reality.
