Football Season Guide

Nice’s pre-season build up has been extremely complicated. They knew before the summer it was likely they were going to lose head coach Lucien Favre, and that indeed came to pass as he was picked up by Borussia Monchegladbach. Nice have generally appointed well in recent seasons and have anointed Patrick Vieira as Favre’s successor. In his first major role in Europe, the former Arsenal midfielder has not had his troubles to seek, with Mario Balotelli caught in limbo. Whatever happens, the Italian will not, surely, return to the club where he has enjoyed so much success over the last two years. If Balotelli’s departure is inevitable, three other star players have already had their moves enacted. Alassane Plea has been even more prolific than Balotelli in recent times and has followed Favre to Germany, while star midfielder Jean Michael Seri has gone to Fulham, where he will be joined by centre-back Maxime Le Marchand. To compensate, Nice have not made moves to sign players of the equivalent standard. What is most alarming is that they have been unable to replace their two most significant scorers in any way shape or form thus far. It has left a major hole at the forefront of the attack, with Mickael Le Bihan, injured for much of the last three seasons, the most recognisable centre forward. It is not a solution that bodes well for their success, particularly as Allan Saint-Maximin is an erratic presence. Pierre-Lees Melou has a big attacking burden to carry in midfield now. Danilo has joined up from Porto to fill the void created by Seri’s departure, while in the defence Christophe Herelle from Troyes is a solid signing.