After a transitional season, notably due to the late arrival of Ineos, OGC Nice is undertaking a very ambitious and interesting recruitment this season.
During the 2019-20 season, the recruitment of OGC Nice could not be optimal, particularly because of the change of ownership that occurred a few days before the end of the summer transfer window, OGC Nice experienced a kind of transitional year last season. Nevertheless, it allowed them to qualify for the Europa League. However, the recruitment for the 2020-21 season appears to be much more ambitious. We will therefore take a detailed look at it.
Ineos: an ambitious owner
Ineos, the owner of OGC Nice since August 26, 2019, has already made a name for itself due to its involvement in sports, especially cycling. They have indeed created a professional cycling team that has built a fabulous record in recent years. Proof of this is their winning 7 of the last 8 Tour de France competitions, on which you can place online sports bets. Among the riders highlighted by this team are Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas, Egan Bernal, Christopher Froome, Richie Porte, and Michal Kwiatkowski. It is therefore quite logical to expect Ineos to also show great ambition when taking over the OGC Nice club.
An intelligent recruitment
Although we are just at the beginning of the season, it is still difficult to know if the recruitment of OGC Nice will be effective. However, it is already evident that it is coherent and should allow the team to progress. This is notably because it includes a mix of young players with high potential and confirmed players of very good level. Among the prospects to watch, one can notably mention Amine Gouiri. The young 20-year-old striker was recruited from Olympique Lyonnais and has already scored a double on the first day. Austrian defender Flavius Daniliuc, arriving on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, the winner of the last Champions League, could also make an impact. Among the confirmed players, we find Morgan Schneiderlin, who joins from Everton, and Rony Lopes, on loan from FC Seville.
What season to expect for OGC Nice?
With this excellent recruitment, OGC Nice is clearly among the contenders for Europe. However, it might be quite challenging to qualify for the Champions League. Indeed, while the first place seems reserved for Paris Saint-Germain, the competition is expected to be quite fierce for the other two spots in Europe’s most prestigious cup. These will likely be contested between Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Monaco, Lille, and thus Nice. Nonetheless, it is imaginable that the Niçois will finish the season in the Top 5, thereby securing a European qualification.
Bought a year ago by Ineos, OGC Nice has made a very ambitious and intelligent transfer window, mixing promising young players with confirmed players. However, it is difficult to predict where the Niçois will stand at the end of the season. Indeed, although being a candidate for European qualification, Nice’s team will have to face significant competition to achieve it.
