The players of OGC Nice returned to training today, led for the first time by Lucien Favre, the new Swiss coach of the team. He appeared calm, notably regarding the summer transfer market.
Before the start of training, scheduled for 5 PM, Lucien Favre held his first press conference. On the agenda was a transfer market update. Facing the journalists, the Swiss coach expressed that he was “very happy to be here and eager to start working”.
The new Nice coach then responded to inquiries regarding planned roster changes (see box), assuring he felt “no worries”. He added: “it’s the backbone that’s leaving, like Ben Arfa and Mendy, but all will be replaced, that’s the priority”. Lucien Favre has two months, asserting “not to worry about that”. According to him, there are regular discussions with recruiters about young players, as well as experienced ones.
For Lucien Favre, “the European competition will require a deep roster to rotate, and change four to five players between Thursday and Sunday without compromising quality”, adding that the European competition would be played “to the fullest”. The preparation is particularly focused on the physical aspect to adapt to midweek games.
The Swiss coach then reminded that “departures were planned”, implicitly citing those of Ben Arfa and Mendy. Lucien Favre briefly mentioned Valère Germain’s case, hinting that the club was trying to bring him back. The new coach of the team stated he was “confident about the future, as Nice will have a fantastic training center”.
The goal, barely concealed, is to “stabilize the club in the top of the league”. Lucien Favre appeared calm about the upcoming season.
Physical Training for the Aiglons
Lucien Favre then joined his players to take part in the first training since his arrival in Nice. After mingling with the fans and receiving a warm welcome from the few supporters present, the Swiss coach joined his assistants (including Adrian Ursea, Favre’s new assistant) and the players to begin the physical preparation.
The program included several laps around the field followed by a stretching session. The activities were briefly interrupted by a visit from Jean-Pierre Rivère, the president of OGC Nice, and three of the four new members of the supervisory board: Chien Lee, Paul Conway, and Elliot Hayes.
Then, a ball work session concluded the return of the Aiglons, observed by Walter Benitez, the freshly arrived goalkeeper from Quilmes who is injured. He will initially work on his own before joining the team in a few weeks.
