Barcelona News: Antoine Griezmann Unhappy With Situation At Camp Nou, France Coach Says

Antoine Griezmann remains unhappy at Barcelona despite the changes within the club and its management, France national team head coach Didier Deschamps said.

Instead of seeing an improvement in his situation at Camp Nou under new coach Ronald Koeman, Griezmann is not pleased with how he is being utilized by the Dutch manager, according to Deschamps.

"I'm talking to him and I'll see him later. I am sure he is not happy with this situation," Deschamps told the media of Griezmann, via Goal.

Reports claimed that Griezmann has had a dented relationship with the Blaugrana even before the appointment of Koeman. Diario Gol reported in June that the Frenchman was not actually on good terms with star captain Lionel Messi. Griezmann denied this in September, telling French outlet RTL, "Things with Messi are on the way up."

With Koeman calling the shots, the 29-year-old had to adjust to taking up a wide role, a task that took away his usual game at the central position.

"I don’t interfere with the use of my players in other clubs, be at Barca or anyone else," Deschamps said. "Antoine is playing on the right there at the moment. It's true that Koeman said, and told him, that he did not understand that he was used to playing in a more central position. But Antoine must also adapt today."

Deschamps knows Griezmann’s game more than Koeman as he has spent years with the forward representing France in the international stage. The former defensive midfielder has the grasp of exploiting Griezmann’s toolbox, with their sound connection paving the way for the former Atletico Madrid star to seize the Silver Boot when France won the 2018 World Cup.

"For me, he is still more effective when he is in the heart of the game when he is able to touch the ball a lot. In that position, he has the possibility to come and help in the midfield too," Deschamps said of the French forward.

"He doesn't have the ability to take the ball and beat opponents on the wing like others. He needs to touch the ball a lot and he is smart in his movement," he continued. "Antoine never complains, but to give his full potential it's always better when a player is in his best position."

Before the start of the 2020–21 La Liga season, Griezmann appeared optimistic about his future with Barcelona.

"I feel good at Barcelona, I know I have the confidence of the club and the manager," he told RTL last month. "I want to go back to see my teammates and give everything to win all possible trophies, since we had a season with none, something that had not happened in a long time for Barcelona."

Griezmann and the rest of Les Bleus are scheduled to host Ukraine and Portugal in the first two of a trio of internationals over the coming weeks. They will end the stretch by visiting Croatia in Zagreb.