Igor Paixão (26) is going through a rough patch. Reported to be on the verge of joining Sunderland AFC last summer, the Brazilian winger ultimately stayed at Olympique de Marseille, recently explaining that he had “had the club’s best interests at heart”, as they would not, even if he had been sold, have been able to replace “a player who is important to them”.

This status has been confirmed by the trust placed in Paixão by Bruno Genesio, his new manager, who personally stepped in to keep him at the club and has established the Macapá-born player as one of the key members of his squad. However, the former Feyenoord player has had a difficult start to the season, having provided just one assist in six appearances (five as a starter) so far.

Once again selected to start against ESTAC Troyes last weekend, Paixão did not see out the match and was particularly agitated following his manager’s decision to substitute him shortly before the final whistle. Genesio addressed this situation with the press on Wednesday, offering some insights that may help explain his protégé’s dip in form.

“There’s no problem with him. There’s always an explanation for everything. As you know, Igor could have, and should have, gone to Sunderland, but it didn’t happen for various reasons. Perhaps he hasn’t quite come to terms with that frustration yet,” explained the French manager on the eve of the Europa League match against Olympiacos.

“There’s a lot of talk about his attacking output; let’s be honest, he’s not producing the same attacking output as he once did. But in terms of his commitment, he hasn’t changed – he makes defensive runs and comes back to help his left-back,” Genesio emphasised, however. “He’s going through a period of doubt; it’s up to us to show him our confidence. It’s at times like this that he needs our support to regain his confidence. He knows he can count on us. Sometimes it doesn’t take much – just a little spark, a goal.”