Football Season Guide

Nice absolutely maximised their resources last season as they finished seventh in Ligue 1 – their fourth-straight Top 10 finish in France’s top flight. The club, however, has been in something of a state of paralysis in recent weeks as a takeover bid is attempted to be finalised, but what this has meant is that much time has been wasted in the transfer window, particularly with regards signing players. Only young Monaco midfielder Khephren Thuram has arrived this summer, yet the squad size has been cut significantly with departures. Those to leave, however, were not apparently in the plans of head coach Patrick Vieira, with Jean-Victor Makengo perhaps the most pertinent of the players to depart the Allianz Riviera. Nice, though, are not in a position in which they can stand still. Offensively, they were very poor last season, reliant on right-back Youcef Atal’s attacking acumen to provide a threat alongside that of Allan Saint-Maximin. Both players continue to be closely linked with a summer move and could easily be out the door by the end of the transfer window. Unless replaced, Nice would be in a desperate state. The midfield should be a sector that is better than last season as Wylan Cyprien regains confidence after a long-term injury and Pierre Lees Melou is back after missing a significant portion of last term. Danilo is the man likely to complete a very solid trio. At the back, meanwhile, Vieira will focus on having solidarity. The basis of his team last year was the triangle between goalkeeper Walter Benitez and centre-backs Dante and Christophe Herelle. There is no evidence to suggest that will change over the coming campaign, though it will place a significant strain on the Brazilian, who will turn 36 in October. It also means the team has precious little margin for error.