Frank de Boer laughs off “ridiculous” Pity Martinez loan rumors

The internet was abuzz yesterday with reports coming out of Argentina that Atlanta United could be looking to offload the struggling Pity Martinez on loan just months into his stay. Rumors are plentiful, especially when the transfer windows open around the world, but Frank de Boer isn’t having it.

The Atlanta manager called the rumblings of Pity’s possible departure “ridiculous” and firmly stated that the designated player is working to adapt to the team.

“It’s ridiculous, you know,” De Boer said in audio provided by the team.” We’re just halfway through the season and he’s new. I always say the first six months is the hardest for everyone who comes to a new culture. He has to adapt.

“We have a lot of confidence in his quality. There is no doubt about it. He knows that he has to do better. He wants to do better. He’s working hard for it. We have a lot of trust in him, so I don’t know where those rumors are coming from. But, it’s not based on anything.”

The transfer rumor mill can be a wild ride. Sometimes there’s truth to what you see. Sometimes there are reasons for the things you see. Perhaps those Pity rumors were nothing but conjecture based on his early struggles. Or maybe here’s something at play behind the scenes. Whatever the case, the public denial from the club’s manager seems to be a very strong statement.