A former Premier League captain has launched a stunning verbal attack on his current teammates, admitting he has told them things in private that might have shocked them.
French side Bordeaux have endured a difficult 2020/21 campaign to date, and captain Laurent Koscielny is not happy with how some of his colleagues have conducted themselves.
The ex-Arsenal skipper, who represented France on 51 occasions, believes many of his teammates have lost their drive because their contracts are set to expire soon, and revealed that he has not minced his words with them behind closed doors.
"The atmosphere is average, very average. We have to be realistic," Koscielny said in a recent press conference, according to Goal.
"This is a squad with an enormous number of players who are coming to the end of their contract, players who want to leave. We have to remain with the people who want to fight, to share, to improve.
"This is the end of a cycle. When you have as many players like that, who don't give you the desire to want to work, it is difficult to have results. That is also why sometimes I can be mean with my words. They are good guys, but if you don't give yourself the means to improve and to have objectives, you will have nothing, and from one moment onwards, we will forget you.
"On that, I struggle with some of them because, for me, success comes with work. I was brought up with values and we certainly weren't brought up in the same way. On that, I am struggling a bit.
"At one moment or another, we will have to go on to the pitch with guys who you believe in and who have the same mentality as you. The coach will put together his team until the end of the season, and now we have three very important months. It is up to us to take as many points as quickly as possible to assure survival. Then, to turn the page and certainly clean house a bit.
"I am not going to be friends with everyone. When I speak, it is not to be negative, it is to bring those people the keys to be able to progress and be the best in the team. Aside from that, if you don't want to hear it, you won't hear it.
"If this implodes, it is like that. We need to move forward. You try to help people. If they don't want to come with you, you leave them aside and move forward with the people who want to.
"After Marseille (a 0-0 draw on 14 February), I said things. It certainly might have shocked certain people. They were strong words. I did not apologise, because to apologise is too easy. I said what needed to be said. Aside from that, if the message did not get through or if you don't want to hear it, it is like that."
Koscielny made 353 appearances in nine years with the Gunners, winning five trophies along the way.
