Chancel Mbemba’s turbulent season at Olympique de Marseille has taken an unexpected turn. After being sidelined since the start of the season due to a disagreement with sporting director Ali Zarrak, the 30-year-old defender has now been brought back into the first-team setup. However, his future at the club remains far from secure.
Mbemba’s return to training came after the international break, with a video from Thursday’s session circulating on social media, confirming his presence alongside his Marseille teammates.
For some fans, this development was met with relief, as they welcomed back a player who had previously been an integral part of the squad.
However, questions linger over whether this reinstatement marks a genuine return or merely a temporary resolution.
Reinstatement Follows Legal Action
The decision to reinstate Mbemba comes not from a change of heart within the club’s management, but rather due to the requirements of the Professional Football Charter.
According to reports, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) legal committee intervened, compelling Marseille to reduce the severity of Mbemba’s sanction.
While he is now back in training, this does not guarantee a return to the pitch for the Congolese international.
Despite his reinstatement, the club’s leadership appears to remain firm in their stance regarding his future.
According to sources at Foot Mercato, the Marseille hierarchy has no plans to reintegrate Mbemba into the team for Ligue 1 matches.
His contract with the club is set to expire next June, and for now, he is merely training with Roberto De Zerbi’s squad as he awaits a possible transfer or alternative opportunity.
🚨🔵⚪️ #teamOM
▶️Chancel Mbemba a réintégré le groupe pro de l’OM et s’est entrainé normalement
❗️cela ne change en rien à sa situation au sein du club qui ne compte toujours pas sur lui. Une situation qui n’a que très peu de chances d’évoluer dans les semaines à venir pic.twitter.com/Ynr4kG92Ap— Sébastien Denis (@sebnonda) October 18, 2024
Future Still Uncertain
Although Mbemba is back on the training ground, his long-term future at Marseille is anything but assured. The central defender, who joined from FC Porto, was once a key figure for OM, known for his consistency and leadership on the pitch.
His sudden fall out of favor has surprised many, and his reinstatement is seen as more of a legal formality than a sign of reconciliation.
With his contract nearing its end and no indication of a new offer from Marseille, Mbemba’s time at the club seems to be drawing to a close.
Speculation continues about his next move, with reports suggesting that he may be seeking a way out before the end of the season.
For now, the defender is training as part of the squad but remains on the periphery, with his future likely to be decided in the coming months.
Fans Left in Limbo
As the situation unfolds, Marseille supporters are left in limbo. Many had hoped that Mbemba’s return to training would signal a resolution to the internal conflict that has kept him out of action.
However, the club’s reluctance to reintegrate him fully suggests that the chapter may not yet be closed.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Mbemba’s situation evolves into a comeback on the pitch or a quiet exit from the club.
In the meantime, Chancel Mbemba continues to train with his teammates, waiting for clarity on what lies ahead.
Whether he will don the Marseille jersey again or depart before his contract ends remains an open question, but his saga at the club is far from over.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲́ & 𝗷𝗲𝘂, les hommes de 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗶 poursuivent leur préparation au centre RLD ! 🚧✈️ #MHSCOM pic.twitter.com/3fIXdgydsq
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) October 17, 2024
