Eccentric Napoli head coach Gennaro Gattuso kicked out club-record signing Hirving Lozano from training ahead of their Copa Italia final against Juventus.
On Monday, Gatusso and his Napoli squad were preparing for potentially their biggest game of the season but it ended with their star player being sent home.
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Lozano, 24, arrived at the Stadio San Paolo in the off-season as the marquee signing of former manager Carlo Ancelotti as they beat off Manchester United and Arsenal to the signature of the Mexico winger from PSV Eindhoven.
Having netted 40 goals and adding a further 23 assists for PSV in just 73 games, much was expected of the club-record €42-million signing.
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However, a return of three goals in 28 games across all competitions and his latest run-in with Gatusso has now put his future in doubt.
Reports in Italian media suggest the AC Milan legend banished Lozano from the club's training ground for a 'lack of effort' shown in training.
"Anyone who is tired, who doesn't feel like it, who isn't sharp mentally, as far as I am concerned, he can just stay in the locker room and miss a day of training," Gattuso told RAI.
"Everyone knows that if they step onto the field with me, they have to go at full speed. I won't allow anyone to ruin a training session."
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After being touted to challenge for the Serie A title this season, Napoli, who sacked Ancelotti for Gatusso in December have endured an underwhelming campaign.
But five league wins from six games before the COVID-19 enforced suspension and a date in the Italian Cup final could breathe life into Gatusso's tenure at the historic club.
Napoli face off against the Bianconeri tonight at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 21:00 (GMT+2)