Nice Premium: Julien, how has your integration into OGC Nice been?
Julien Sablé: On a personal level, good. I was well received, very well accepted by the group. My adaptation was very quick because I already knew a lot of people, including the coach, as well as Vincent Hognon, David Hellebuyck, Nicolas Dyon, Jean-Marie De Zerbi (physical trainer and assistant coach, editor’s note) whom I knew from Saint-Etienne. I’ve worked with Loïc Rémy at Lens, and I’ve already met many players on the field. I was not coming to unknown territory.
NP: And on a collective level?
JS: It has been difficult. We had a critical week. I came after a loss in the French Cup against Monaco. When I signed, all anyone talked about was Vannes. We lost that match and missed the chance at the Stade de France. Then there was the match against Lyon where I was sent off just as we were getting back into it. The week was a bit complicated, but then things began to sort themselves out on their own.
NP: Where are you now?
JS: I am in a phase of rebirth, needing to rebuild confidence. It came quickly because you can see that from my performances, I worked hard at Lens. Physically, I was well from the moment I arrived. But it took a little time to adapt. With the coach, we wanted to redo four months before the end of the championship. I am giving the best of myself to acclimatize well and prepare for the next season.
“The club is doing exemplary work”
NP: Why did you choose OGC Nice?
JS: Relaunching my career was the objective. I wasn’t playing much at Lens. When I did play, things went well. I had no particular issues with competition, I was well accepted by the group. But I wanted to play more.
Choosing Nice happened naturally because the values of the club align with mine: the fight, the tenacity,… It’s a bit similar to Saint-Etienne in the way they embrace the public, the expectations around the team,…
Frédéric Antonetti’s presence convinced me because my first goal was to leave France because I wanted to have experience abroad (He had trials in England and Italy, editor’s note).
NP: Why do you think the team is struggling at the moment?
JS: It’s part of all teams in rebuilding. The club’s policy is very clear: to launch young players, revive stagnant players, and have veterans who lead the group while still being performance-driven. What they have done is exemplary. They lost big players in the offseason and no one expected them to rank as well as they have. It takes a lot of energy. There was also a bit of luck.
When you bet on a cup final and don’t make it, it hits you hard. But there is nothing alarming. Our match content isn’t bad. People talk about a lack of desire but I disagree. When you are professional you always want to win. However, there are areas like preparation, concentration,… a lot of things make it sometimes difficult. Nonetheless, this shows the younger players in the team that they have to endure hard times at the beginning to enjoy the good times later.
