Niçois from 2004 until 2006, Sébastien Roudet has played alongside Adrien Tameze for the last two years, with Valenciennes. As he prepares for his 20th season as a pro, the former Aiglon (36 years old) picked up the phone to present the new number five.

Even though 13 years separate the two teammates, their careers have similarities. In fact, like Adrien Tameze, Sébastien Roudet headed to the Côte d'Azur at 23 years old. Coming from Ligue 2 (Châteauroux), he also prepared himself to discover the top-flight, as well as the passion so present in Nice: “With Châteauroux, we had a group of supporters, he remembered. In Nice, I found a set of incredible supporters. That left its mark, Adrien may well be surprised. Everything will be multiplied by ten. He will love it.”

Before speaking about the career of the newly arrived Aiglon, Sébastien Roudet couldn’t stop himself from talking a bit about the Gym: “To see the team play in this magnificent stadium, and to secure results like that consistently, it makes us proud, as former-Aiglons. I am happy for the club, the city and the fans.”

“A launching ramp”

Placed at the heart of the team by Faruk Hadzibegić (“as a number 10, a bit like Benjamin Nivet at Troyes”), the ex-Niçois is enjoying himself at the stade du Hainault: “I am trying to keep the pleasure going for as long as possible. Whilst my body can keep going, why stop? On the pitch, he benefitted a lot from the determination of Tameze, supporting behind him. “He played at 6 or 8. He gave me good service, he was our launching ramp.”

The former Aiglon explained: “Adrien has a huge impact. He moves forward very quickly. He has very good vision. And more than everything, he is tidy technically.” Qualities which caught the eye of the Nice scouting network: “He is a promising player, continued Roudet. If the Gym have signed him, it isn’t for nothing! He should adapt to the different rhythm of L1. On the other hand, with the battles he has experienced in L2, he is already ready.”

“With Favre, it could click”

Trained in Nancy, Tameze arrived on tip-toes in Valenciennes, after having experienced a period of unemployment (“I have maybe lacked a bit of maturity” he declared during his official presentation). “Even though their profiles are different, he numerically replaced Lucas Tousart (moved to Lyon, Editor’s note), remembered Roudet. He quickly made himself a key player for the side (35 games, 31 starts in2016-17).”

The player who has barely stopped smiling since arriving in Nice is described by his former colleague as a “quiet and happy-go-lucky” player. With us, he was normally with the youngsters.” With the Gym, he will need progressively join one of the youngest squads in the league: “The environment is favourable for them, observed Roudet. With Lucien Favre, it could click. He will need to battle to earn his place. I hope he can impose himself in the long run. What Cyprien did last season, that was impressive.”

F.H. (Photo credit: VAFC / OGC Nice Médias)

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