No, that's not what I mean, and you know it.
In what way was it in Kean's interest? I'm curious.
Maybe Samba was 'alienated' because he was digging his heels in for another pay rise? Historically, that would seem more likely.
Samba had milked the club for all he could, Den. The fact he left to play in one of the most racist leagues in the game, and still playing there, tells you all you need to know about his priorities ($$$$).
In desperate times, you need your best players to stand up and be counted. Too many of them used the off-pitch drama as a smokescreen to force their way out of the club.
It's no coincidence that our Gallic contingent were all boat-rockers that season (Nzonzi, Givet, Samba). You wouldn't want any of them in the trenches.