Prem clubs alerted as Koeman stance angers Griezmann at Barcelona

Barcelona attacker Antoine Griezmann is unhappy at Barcelona with his current role in the side under Ronald Koeman, according to Didier Deschamps.

The France forward – a €120m signing in summer 2019 – has struggled to find his consistent best since moving to Camp Nou.

Griezmann scored 15 times in 48 appearances during his first season at the club. That was a total he bettered in each and every one of the five seasons he enjoyed at Atletico Madrid prior to that.

Now Griezmann’s hopes of improving his form and output have suffered a further blow. That’s after Koeman started the season with Griezmann operating in a deeper right-wing wing.

That’s despite previous comments made by Koeman that suggested the World Cup winner must be deployed centrally.

Griezmann was asked to play in Barca’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla on Sunday; Koeman using Philippe Coutinho and Ansu Fati as support for Lionel Messi in the attack.

However, Griezmann isn’t happy and his frustrations have been outlined by Les Bleus coach Deschamps.

“I’m talking to him and I’ll see him later. I am sure he is not happy with this situation,” the France boss told the media on Monday ahead of his side’s upcoming matches against Ukraine, a friendly, Portugal and Croatia.

“I don’t interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be at Barca or anyone else.

“Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. It’s true that Koeman said, and told him, that he did not understand that he was used to playing in a more central position. But Antoine must also adapt today.

“For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game, when he is able to touch the ball a lot. In that position, he has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too.

“He doesn’t have the ability to take the ball and beat opponents on the wing like others. He needs to touch the ball a lot and he is smart in his movement.”

Prior to taking over at Barca, Koeman spoke out against former boss Quique Setien’s deployment of Griezmann

Speaking to Dutch outlet NOS he said: “With all my respect, Griezmann must play in his position.

“It is not an extreme. It is not. You have to play in your role. This is where the most important part of a coach comes in, knowing your players well and getting the most out of them.”

Griezmann issues to alert Premier League clubs

Griezmann’s problems at Barcelona will likely lead to speculation suggesting a move could be on the cards.

The attacker has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in the past.

However, it is Manchester United where he is most frequently linked.

Griezmann was close to joining the Reds Devils in summer 2017 and actually rated his chances of signing for them “a 6 in 10”.

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