Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Gregory van der Wiel questions Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc

Gregory van der Wiel has criticised Paris Saint-Germain manager Laurent Blanc over the way he was treated during his time in the French capital.

Van der Wiel, 28, spent four years at PSG but he is leaving this summer after it became clear that Serge Aurier was preferred ahead of him at right-back.

The Netherlands international said he would have liked to stay with the French champions but, having only been used in 17 league matches this season, he felt it was time to move on.

In particular, Van der Wiel seems aggrieved that Marquinhos, whose regular position is centre-back, was played ahead of him for key matches such as the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Chelsea.

"I sometimes felt very bad in Paris," Van der Wiel told Eurosport. "I was disappointed and sad because I have the qualities to play in the Champions League.

"But things didn't happen as I would have wanted so as a result I thought things over.

"I think people understand why I don't want to stay in this situation. I prefer to go to a club that trusts me and that really wants me to play.

"Laurent Blanc never explained to me why I was his second or third choice. Maybe that would have allowed me to understand his reasoning.

"At the moment, I just have to accept the situation. Even though, honestly, I don't understand it.

"As a result, you're obliged to guess for yourself why you're not good enough and what your manager really thinks of you."

Van der Wiel had appeared disgruntled in his final season in Paris and in August the former Ajax player was punished by the club for refusing to warm down after going unused against Montpellier.

The defender, who has previously complained of a sense of deja vu after being left out against Chelsea for the second year running, added: "I always gave my best to be one of the starting team.

"Sometimes it wasn't sufficient, I found myself on the bench and I understood why.

"But if the normal starter isn't available and another player plays in your place, even though it's not even his position, that means that people don't really trust you."

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