On Friday, Kasper Dolberg, Alexis Claude-Maurice and Adam Ounas took part in their first press conference with Le Gym, alongside  President Rivère and Coach Vieira. A look back on their first words in red and black.

KASPER DOLBERG

“There are many reasons that I wanted to come. I spoke with the coach, the people at the club. For me, it was the right choice. I needed a club that believed in me. We had been speaking for a while, and the longer it went on, the more me joining seemed certain. A combination of things convinced me to sign, principally the project that is getting underway. I wanted to be a part of it. I remember the match in 2017, it wasn’t a good result for Ajax (1-1 in Nice; 2-2 in Amsterdam).

We played here and in fact, I was surprised by the stadium, the supporters and the atmosphere that filled the place. Nice were a quality side, difficult to play against. I particularly remember Dante, but it was the atmosphere that struck me more than anything. This summer, I did the full pre-season with Ajax. I hadn’t been able to finish pre-season for the last two years, but this year, I was able to. Of course I have been unable to train recently, but I have been doing the necessary from my side of things. I am feeling good. I am fit and ready to start the adventure.” 

ALEXIS CLAUDE-MAURICE

“I was impatient and in a rush to come to Nice. It was quite long for me, but now I am here and am very happy to be here. It could have gone onto the end, but the main thing is that I am here. My choice was a simple one because the club’s project is extremely interesting and the style of play is equally a fit for me. 

“What made the difference were the conversations with Julien Fournier (Director of Football, Editor’s note) and the coach. My decision was already 99% made, I just wanted a really direct chat with them, and I was able to do so. It’s really at that moment that I was 100% sure that I needed to come. I know that top players have played here, like Sneijder or Balotelli, and that Le Gym is a huge club in French football. An old club with a really passionate set of supporters.”

ADAM OUNAS

“I spoke with the coach and the new owner of the club before signing. The project is going to take shape in the coming years. Everyone has the same objectives, to try to secure Europe. Youcef spoke to me a while ago too, he said to me that Le Gym is a huge club, with history, but it was mainly the coach’s words that led me to choose Nice. I arrived a short while ago, and I have already felt that there is a great atmosphere in the squad, it’s like a family. We are going to have a good season together.  

“I moved abroad early on (to Naples). It wasn’t a bad experience, quite the opposite, I progressed a lot with huge players and top coaches, especially on my weaknesses, defensively and tactically. Nice is a huge club, I hope we will go as far as possible, and even further. I had two weeks of pre-season with  Napoli, I feel good and ready, although it’s the coach who will make the decision. With a bit more continuity and the possibility of playing back-to-back matches, I will get back to my best level. It will also been down to me to take responsibility on the pitch, to play as many matches as possible. It starts in training and then we will see with the national side. In the meantime, I will give my all for this big club...”

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