Asked about Ross Barkley (28) during OGC Nice’s press conference ahead of their opening Europa League tie against FC Koln, manager Lucien Favre gave a revealing answer, which alludes to his lack of involvement in the club’s recruitment this summer.
Favre was asked whether former Chelsea midfielder Barkley was more of an 8 than a 6, Favre said, “Well, I’m told that he’s more of an 8.”The fact that he’s “been told”that he’s more of an 8 is suggestive of the fact that Barkley was perhaps not a Favre target, given that he is seemingly unfamiliar with his profile to the point that he isn’t fully sure of his natural position.
In August,RMCreported that Aaron Ramsey (31), who is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, wasn’t a Favre target either. Not only, that, but the French media also went so far as to say that Favre didn’t want the Welsh international midfielder, who was available on a free after having his Juventus contract terminated earlier in the summer.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach, who returned to the Côte d’Azur club for a second spell as manager this summer also got a surprise during Gaëtan Laborde’s (28) unveiling, when he discovered the age of his new striker. As Laborde got up to leave, Favre leaned over to president Jean-Pierre Rivère and said, “He’s 28 years old?”
The separate incidents create an image of a manager that is not being actively involved by the club when making moves in the market. Former Crystal Palace and Cardiff City man Iain Moody has come into the club this summer to manage their transfer window, following the surprise early departure of sporting director Julien Fournier.
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