He was still in Ligue 2 last season, and Claude Puel already envisions him in the French national team. Having arrived from Le Havre this summer, Maxime Le Marchand quickly blended into the Nice squad despite an early-season injury. What’s more, the former captain of Le Havre seems destined for a starting position. However, there’s no resting on that; the competition will be tough, and he knows it.
NP. A few months after your arrival, how is your life in Nice going?
MLM: I feel great; I was warmly welcomed by the fans, my teammates, and everyone at the club. I’ve already found my routines, like still playing in a t-shirt in October. That wasn’t the case in Le Havre, but I’m getting used to it without any problems! (smile).
NP. Before your injury on August 22nd, you started the season. How were you feeling?
MLM: I had done a good physical preparation; I was feeling good, and this injury came at the wrong time. I need to regain my bearings and my habits to deliver the best performances possible.
NP. You’re coming back to a team in great form right now.
MLM: Yes, things are going pretty well at the moment, but they can go even better. I hope to contribute to the team so that it continues to get good results. It would be nice to finally finish a match without conceding a goal.
NP. With players gradually returning from injury, are you worried about competition at the back?
MLM: No, it’s up to me to prove that I want to play and that I deserve to be a starter. I have the particularity of being left-footed, and I know the coach likes to pair a right-footer with a left-footer in the center. I will simply do my best to play well.
NP. Do you see your ease with the ball as a significant asset for playing in that defensive pair?
MLM: Of course, it’s a big asset because the coach demands good play. At Le Havre, Erick Mombaerts also emphasized the importance of initial passes. Nevertheless, we defenders must primarily think about defending well. After that, I have this technical quality with the ball, and I need to combine it with solidity to reassure others on the field.
NP. Like Mathieu Bodmer, you’ve played in midfield. Is he somewhat of a role model for you?
MLM: It’s true that he’s a bit of a role model. He has an incredible vision of the game, is very composed, and has good passing skills. He’s really a leader, and the confidence he exudes on the pitch helps us all. In the locker room, when he speaks, everyone listens. A player like him, who has been at major clubs, it’s really great to have him as a captain.
NP. You were captain at Le Havre, you’re 26 years old, do you speak up in this young Nice group?
MLM: Yes, I should probably do it even more. On the field, when you play in central defense, you see the whole game, so you shouldn’t hesitate to guide others. There are key players in this team, like Mathieu (Bodmer) and Papy (Mendy), who take on this role well.
NP. Every time you were available for a match, you played. Do you truly feel the coach’s trust?
MLM: Absolutely, I know he trusts me. He gives me a lot of advice in training and pays a lot of attention to me. I want to repay his faith and continue to progress. I experienced Ligue 2, and now it’s Ligue 1, so I have to improve in all areas, and I’m working towards that.
NP. You were an early pillar of Le Havre; what’s your take on the wonderful youth at OGC Nice?
MLM: Papy Mendy is very young, but he already has an excellent experience of Ligue 1, and his work in midfield is really reassuring for the defense. I also talk a lot with Vincent Koziello. I’m really happy for the young players; now they need to keep their feet on the ground and bring consistency. It’s a great recognition for the club to see these young players excel.
NP. A word on the supporters to finish?
MLM: The return from Saint-Etienne was absolutely magnificent. It was the first time I experienced such an atmosphere for a return from a match. I was quite impressed. You have to enjoy these moments when everything is going well and focus on the upcoming games. We want to achieve good results to experience these moments throughout the season.
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