Naby Keita took to social media to reject claims he went home after being omitted from the Werder Bremen starting line-up.
The midfielder signed side last summer as a free agent following a six-year spell at Premier League giants Liverpool but has played just 106 minutes due to injuries.
Keita’s future at the Bundesliga side was thrown in doubt ahead of their trip to Bayer Leverkusen after not being named in the team.
As reported by the club’s English X account, director Clemens Fritz said: “After finding out yesterday that he wasn’t in the starting XI, Naby decided not to come with us to the ground, but instead chose to travel home.
“We’ll be speaking to him and his adviser tomorrow about the consequences and where we go from here.”
However Keita responded with a statement on an Instagram story, affirming his professionalism and hitting out at a person trying to ‘tarnish’ his image.
“I would like to speak out to clarify my situation with my club, Werder Bremen,” it translated to from French. “Since the first day I signed for this magnificent club, I have always demonstrated self-sacrifice and professionalism.
“The only desire that has always driven me has been to help the club and bring happiness to the many supporters, especially at this time when the results are not what we want.
“Since the start of my career, wherever I have been, I have never had a disciplinary problem and I have always tried to be exemplary. I will therefore not accept that anyone tarnishes this image.
“To the supporters, I would like you to know that in every training session, I fight so that I can make you happy every weekend. Training, giving everything, these are the limits of my power. To my teammates, good luck for our match. Go Werder!”
Werder Bremen went on to lose the game 5-0 as Leverkusen were crowned as Bundesliga champions for the first time ever.
It’s the 17th time this season Keita has not been part of their squad for a game in the German top-flight, with most of his omissions coming because of injury.
Keita suffered similar woes during his time at Liverpool and went on to make only 77 starts in all competitions over six seasons at Anfield.
Four of his absences with Werder Bremen have been down to call-ups with the Guinea national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
But he has played just two games since then and has been selected in the starting XI in just one of his five appearances all season.
Keita even had to withdraw from his unofficial debut in the summer when he picked up an injury during the warm-up of a pre-season friendly.
News Summary:
- Ex-Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita passionately denies claims of going home before match by Werder Bremen director
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