We remember his arrival on the shores of the Mediterranean four years ago, happy like the child he still was at the tender age of 18. Ederson hasn’t changed. On Wednesday, January 30, 2008, he arrived casually at the press conference, joking with the journalists, those closest receiving an embrace, the Nissarde *”baieta”*… He abbreviated the protocol by cutting short the opening speech of President Maurice Cohen: “I want to thank the club that brought me to Europe, the always superb supporters, my teammates, the current staff, and the former who have helped me progress.” Modern football is what it is: transfers make newspaper headlines. Players change clubs every six months. Their statements are formatted. Yet, Ederson’s words exude sincerity, aided by his contagious smile. Indeed, his departure to Lyon, where his salary will skyrocket, makes him just another footballer. But with a feint only he knows, he sidestepped normality by pushing to stay an additional six months on the French Riviera: “Olympique Lyonnais wanted me immediately. It’s very flattering, but I wanted to stay in Nice. It’s a matter of ethics. I can’t leave in the middle of a season and abandon my teammates, the staff, and the supporters overnight.”
Until May 17 or 24 (the French Cup final), Ederson will defend the colors of OGC Nice. He aims to do his best for his current club and leave satisfied with a duty well-performed: “It will be tough, but if we can qualify for European competition, I could leave content.” That’s also the wish of Frédéric Antonetti, the Nice coach, whom he had just met with right before the press conference: “He told me to keep working hard to finish the season strongly with OGC Nice, to progress, and arrive in Lyon full of confidence. He told me to take the games as they come and stay calm.”
We knew of the Nice coach’s desire to keep his number 10. He polished his gem, gradually integrating him into the professional group and then into his starting eleven. He sought out his best position, one that would allow the Brazilian to perform optimally. A stint on the left, then on the right, defensive midfield, offensive midfield, or striker. Ederson has refined his game, now complete. If he can move to the major French club, he partly owes it to his coach. It was uncertain how the latter would take this departure. He had chosen to retain him at the expense of Marama Vahirua and make him a key piece of the Nice offensive system. This conversation, at the end of Wednesday morning’s training, reassures everyone. Frédéric Antonetti holds no grudges against his Brazilian and trusts him for the rest of the season—an essential factor for Ederson’s mindset. The supporters can count on their favorite to dream of Europe: “I am Niçois. I will watch Lyon’s results and hope that they have the best season possible and that they go far in the Champions League. I am Niçois until June, and I will give my all for Nice!” Words from Ederson…
Maurice Cohen clarifies: “We had an agreement with Ederson to play in Nice until June. He insisted on this during his discussions with OL despite Lyon’s push to have him immediately. I am very happy that he stayed in France. With the transfer of Bellion to Bordeaux, Fanni to Rennes, we are proud to contribute to the progress of the French championship. For a club like OGC Nice, without a stadium, we are forced to see our best players leave. We cannot compete with other clubs in terms of salary. With the money from Ederson’s transfer (about 7.5 million euros), we will invest as best we can and calmly. Roger Ricort (sports director) is already looking for a player to replace Ederson. We must not wait until summer! Anything can happen in football. It is not excluded that another player might be recruited before the end of the transfer window. We would have liked to acquire Loïc Rémy (young Lyon striker who would have been part of Ederson’s transfer) but Lyon did not want to sell him because the club counts on him next year. We, on the other hand, did not want a player on loan who would have stayed only four months and then returned to his club.”
Ederson and Lyon:
Juninho. He called me several times to tell me about life in Lyon and at the club. I talked again with him and Cris on Tuesday. It’s a pleasure to play with him. We have different playing styles from Juninho, even though we are both midfielders and take free kicks. I am more offensive than he is. We’ll see if we can play together.
Competition. There will be plenty, and of a very high level. I will have to demonstrate my qualities at every training session, and I will give my all to be a starter.
The seleção. This is very important to me. In Lyon, Brazilian selectors will watch more matches, and I will have more opportunities to be called up for the national team. It’s up to me to make a show of it. I hold the keys.
