Exclusive: Jonathan Rowe Opens Up About His Future and Goals at Marseille

Former Norwich City man Jonathan Rowe believes he could have made more of an impact at Marseille this season after playing mainly in a substitute role.

Rowe moved to southern France last July after a breakout Championship campaign at Norwich City, where he won the EFL Young Player of the Month and the Championship Goal of the Month, in August 2023 and January 2024, respectively.

In Marseille, the 22-year-old has had to fight hard for playing time and 22 out of the 27 Ligue 1 appearances he has made this season came as a substitute.

He has just 720 minutes of league football under his belt, in contrast to the 2194 minutes of Championship football he played last season.

Despite the disappointment in playing time, Rowe has been readily available for Roberto Di Zerbi, and he has a contribution of three goals and two assists to his credit in the French Ligue 1.

“This season obviously has been a bit disappointing for me as I haven't played as much as I would have hoped to,” Rowe said to SportsBoom.com

“The main thing that I'm happy about this season is that I've been able to stay fit and available for all the games.

“I think that's a big win for me. This club is massive, and I really enjoy playing here."

“Last season I was probably a regular starter at Norwich, and I was enjoying my time there. I wanted to make a step up and OM is a big club, so I made the step up."

“There's been some really good moments this season, which I'm sure everyone can remember.”

Jonathan Rowe coy on his future

Rowe’s loan contract at the Orange Velodrome will run out at the end of June, but Marseille have an option to make the English forward’s stay permanent.

He reflected on the personal development he has made within the last 11 months, but he remains coy on his next move.

“Obviously for me, it's been a difficult season, but I've learnt a lot this season. I've learnt a lot mentally,” Rowe continued. 

“How to keep going when you're not really playing as much. The competition is high at a club like this."

“I've put in my head that I just have to do what I can when the opportunity comes."

“Take the little time that I have to make as much impact as possible. Like I said before, I'm interested in what the future holds so I don't know yet. I believe I can contribute a lot more.”

With Marseille's qualification for next seasons UEFA Champions League secured, Rowe might get the nod to play a starting role when Di Zerbi's men host Rennes for their final league match of the campaign on Saturday.

Assessing the competition in Ligue 1

The 22-year-old admitted that playing in the Ligue 1 has erased his initial imagination about French football, having seen the level of strength and technicality shown by players.

Rowe concluded that there are no easy teams in the French top-flight even though Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed champions since April and they currently have a 19-point lead above second-placed Marseille.

He said: “When you experience it on the pitch, everyone's physical, everyone's technical. It's a real challenge every game. I would say it's a lot more difficult than I imagined at first."

“It's a good challenge. Like I said, the season has been difficult. No game is easy.

“Whether they're at the bottom of the table or at the top of the table, every game is difficult, and anything can happen in the 90 minutes that we play. We've prepared hard all week this season.”