With Jordan Lotomba currently the only recognised right-back available, Nice have been looking to strengthen in this position, but having shelled out a significant sum on Mohamed-Ali Cho, Les Aiglons’ finances are limited. A loan move was the best option for Le Gym, with the purchase option set at €3m, according to L’Équipe. 

Atal’s Nice future in suspense

Rosier will now challenge Lotomba for a place in the starting XI between now and the end of the season. “I am happy to be back in France in an ambitious club like OGC Nice,” reacted the former Dijon defender upon confirmation of the deal.

Youcef Atal, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), remains part of Nice’s squad, however, after being found guilty of “condoning terrorism and public provocation of hate or violence based on religion”, Nice-Matin report that the club’s INEOS owners are reticent to see Atal pull on a Nice shirt again. A move away from the Allianz Riviera for the Algeria international this month is therefore on the cards. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Marcin Bulka was handed the No.1 jersey at Nice this season, and his promotion led to Kasper Schmeichel leaving the club as a free agent on transfer deadline day in the summer. As a result, the club were in the market for a No.2 that wasn’t necessarily meant to challenge Bulka but to replace the Polish shot-stopper in the event of injury and suspension. 

Bournemouth’s Radu a target?

Sirigu was therefore brought in on a free transfer following the expiry of the Italian’s contract at Fiorentina. However, since making the move, he didn’t play a single minute. Upon signing his contract, it was agreed that Nice would let Sirigu leave the club, should an offer come in that would allow him to feature more prominently. 

Having completed his move to Fatih Karagümrük, it is unclear whether Les Aiglons will move to replace Sirigu. Italian media have evoked a potential move for Andrei Radu (26), currently on loan at Bournemouth from Inter Milan. Should Le Gym fail to sign Radu, academy product Teddy Boulhendi (22) could be promoted to No.2. Bartosz Zelazowski (18) would be promoted to third-choice goalkeeper. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

This could have spelt trouble for the defender, he did not have the confidence of Farioli, who admitted that he was “slightly puzzled about whether he could adapt to our system.” However, to the delight of the manager he was met with a player who “Worked with total commitment and incredible application.”

It was not the first time in the player’s short career that he has had to prove himself. Before Bard moved to Nice from Olympique Lyonnais in 2021, Peter Bosz, his then-manager had been critical of the fullback. It was a stance that only softened once Bard had departed and begun putting in performances for Le Gym that left Lyon questioning if they had made a terrible mistake letting him walk. 

This season Bard has proven to be an invaluable component of the best defence in the league, which by the midpoint of the competition had only conceded nine goals. It is not simply the level of his performance but the consistency with which Bard has performed that has helped the team climb to second in the table. 

Bard adding assists to his game

In possession, the defender remains a reliable presence. His searching movements and patience have been essential qualities in helping the side build out from the back, while his pace and willingness to fly forward provide a layer of unpredictability that combines nicely with Jérémie Boga on the wing. 

If there were to be a puzzling aspect to the fullback’s game, it would be that a player who looks so comfortable bombing forward and threatening the opponent’s backline has always recorded a low assist and expected assists tally. Last season, Bard provided no assists for his teammates in 33 appearances for the club, while this has increased under Farioli’s regime to two assists in 17 matches. 

Still, it is clear that Bard has earned the trust of his new manager and the club will be counting on the young left-back to help them mount their podium challenge, and perhaps even push them that bit further into a title race.

GFFN | Nick Hartland

Marcin Bulka was handed the No.1 jersey at Nice this season, and his promotion led to Kasper Schmeichel leaving the club as a free agent on transfer deadline day in the summer. As a result, the club were in the market for a No.2 that wasn’t necessarily meant to challenge Bulka but to replace the Polish shot-stopper in the event of injury and suspension. 

Sirigu was therefore brought in on a free transfer in September following the expiry of the Italian’s contract at Fiorentina. However, since making the move, he has not played a single minute. Upon signing his contract, it was agreed that Nice would let Sirigu leave the club, should an offer come in that would allow him to feature more prominently. 

That has now happened and Le Gym have kept their word. Sirigu is set to undergo a medical with  Fatih Karagümrük on Tuesday ahead of completing a move to the Turkish side. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

With Youcef Atal, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Algeria, expected to leave Nice this summer, Les Aiglons are in the market for reinforcements. Whilst funds are limited since the arrival of Mohamed-Ali Cho from Real Sociedad, a loan deal for Rosier is nearing completion. Negotiations over a loan move are advanced, and the deal will include an option to make the deal permanent for €3m at the end of the season, according to L’Équipe.

The publication adds that Rosier’s arrival could bring an end to Lotomba’s stay at the club. The Swiss international is currently the only out-and-out right-back at the club, but he would likely be demoted down the hierarchy in the event of Rosier’s arrival. Lotomba, who started the season as a backup, was already questioning his future with Le Gym during this period. 

Lotomba is being tracked by Crystal Palace and Wolfsburg, and Rosier’s arrival could once again lead the Swiss defender to consider his future. Should he leave, Pablo Rosario could fill-in as backup at right-back. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Ouest-France first revealed Ligue 1 interest in Kean. The Italian international already has experience in the French top flight, having played for Paris Saint-Germain, and according to the French publication, Rennes are interested in bringing him to Roazhon Park. 

Di Marzio now reports that Julien Stéphan’s side could face competition for Kean’s signature. Despite already signing Mohamed-Ali Cho, Nice remain short on attacking options given the absences of Terem Moffi and Jérémie Boga at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Francesco Farioli is reportedly interested in bringing Kean to the Allianz Riviera on a loan deal, whilst Di Marzio also reveals an interest from Atletico Madrid. 

Since his return from Everton, the €30m striker has failed to truly establish himself at Juventus, and a departure cannot be ruled out this month. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Nice have been looking to strengthen at right-back, but having already heavily invested in bringing Mohamed-Ali Cho to the club earlier in the window, funds are at a premium. Reinforcements are, however, a necessity. Youcef Atal is currently away with the Algerian national team at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), however, having been found guilty of provoking racial hatred following the sharing of an anti-semitic social media post, his future is unlikely to lie at the Allianz Riviera. 

According to Foot Mercato, Les Aiglons are now closing in on the signing of Rosier. The club are in advanced negotiations to bring the former Dijon defender to the club. L’Équipe have specified that it will be a loan deal for Rosier, which will include an option to make the deal permanent for €3m. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Amid the controversy surrounding Nemanja Matic’s future in Rennes, Stade Rennais had the opportunity to seal a second Ligue 1 win on the bounce for the first time this season. Meanwhile, second-placed Nice could reduce their deficit to league leaders PSG to two points. Les Aiglons started with ease, displaying their trademark slow-building passing sequences. However, the visitors were struggling to pose a threat, as opposed to the hosts.

Rennes gradually grew into the game and an unmarked Arnaud Kalimuendo completely mistimed his header. Marcin Bulka then showed strong hands to deflect Benjamin Bourigeaud’s volley. With Khéphren Thuram out injured and Youssuf Ndayishimiye shifted at centre-back due to the suspension of Jean-Clair Todibo, Nice was far too easily overrun in midfield. Nice winger Evann Guessand nearly got himself in trouble in his own penalty box twice with Rennes denied two penalty shouts.

It would be a case of third time lucky with Rosario sanctioned for a handball in the box following a corner. Rennes midfielder Bourigeaud held his own and dispatched past Bulka from the spot at the half-hour mark. Nice’s reply was a shy attempt of a header from Gaëtan Laborde going straight into Steve Mandanda’s gloves. A well-drilled Rennes entered half-time with a deserved lead. Meanwhile, the INEOS-owned Ligue 1 team lacked guile, precision and inspiration.

Their troubles deepened in the second act. Again, Rennes won a duel in midfield and Enzo Le Fée had all the time to thread a precise pass for Kalimuendo, whose low finish found its way in Bulka’s net. Nice were now firmly on the ropes with Rennes showing glimpses of clear improvement under the guidance of Julien Stéphan. The pace of the game slowed down late on with tiredness kicking on in freezing conditions.

Although they are second-placed, Nice were second best at the Roazhon Park tonight, conceding back-to-back away losses in the league. Taking into account their Coupe de France tie, Stade Rennais have now won three games on the bounce.

Rennes players ratings

Steve Mandanda –  6

Guéla Doué – 5

Warmed Omari – 6

Arthur Theate – 6

Adrien Truffert – 6

Benjamin Bourigeaud – 7

Baptiste Santamaria –  7

With Nemanja Matic pushing for an exit, the French holding midfielder is quietly improving Rennes’ midfield with his physicality, grit and willingness to start the press. With Le Fée and Bourigeaud, they bossed the midfield.

Enzo Le Fée –  6

Désiré Doué –  5

Arnaud Kalimuendo –  6

The former PSG youth product keeps missing big chances, but his determination is commendable. Showed good composure to double his side’s lead with his fourth goal in three games.

Martin Terrier – 6

He is yet to return to his commanding best but he’s making a strong case to be an indisputable starter thanks to his work ethic. It was his header that met Rosario’s outstretched arm, leading to Bourigeaud’s opener from the penalty spot.

Nice players ratings

Marcin Bulka – 5

Jordan Lotomba- 5

Youssouf Ndayishimiye –  5

In the absence of the suspended Jean-Clair Todibo, the Burundian midfielder hardly put a foot wrong alongside Dante.

Dante – 4

The Brazilian veteran was outpaced by Kalimuendo’s run for the second goal and did not exude the confidence he is accustomed to. Besides, as a captain, the absence of reaction from his teammates partly falls on him.

Melvin Bard – 5

Pablo Rosario – 3

Alexis Claude-Maurice – 3

Morgan Sanson –  2

The former Aston Villa man had a catastrophic game tonight. His impact on midfield was virtually non-existent. He only won two of the twelve duels he contested and managed only one cross of the six he attempted. No Nice players lost as many balls as him (17).

Evann Guessand – 4

Terem Moffi – 3

Before heading to Ivory Coast for the AFCON with Nigeria, the centre-forward had a frustrating night in Brittany, making little use of the few opportunities he was given.

Gaëtan Laborde – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Matić may now be back in Rennes, but he has no future in JulienStéphan’s side, as evidenced by his omission from the matchday squad. Baptiste Santamaria, who has seen gametime limited since Matić’s arrival, and who had been linked with a departure to Olympique Lyonnais, will be the benefactor. He is set to come into the midfield and will feature in a pivot alongside Enzo Le Fée. 

Stéphan will be without Amine Gouiri and Lorenz Assignon, who are both out injured. The former was expected to represent Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, however, a knee injury put pay to the Rennes forward’s chances of participating in the competition. 

Rennes likely lineup v Nice

Steve Mandanda; Adrien Truffert, Arthur Theate, Jeanuël Belocian, Guéla Doué; Benjamin Bourigeaud, Baptiste Santamaria, Enzo Le Fée, Ludovic Blas; Martin Terrier, Arnaud Kalimuendo. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Whilst it will be Cho’s first game in a Nice shirt, it will be Terem Moffi’s last before he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Les Aiglons have been impacted by AFCON absences with Jérémie Boga’s participation in the competition notably opening the door for Cho to make his debut on the left. 

Nice are also without many other key figures through injury and suspension. Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended, whilst Khéphren Thuram, Sofiane Diop and Romain Perraud miss out through injury. Francesco Farioli isn’t blessed with choice as Ligue 1 returns. 

Nice likely lineup v Rennes

Marcin Bulka; Melvin Bard, Dante, Antoine Mendy, Jordan Lotomba; Morgan Sanson, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Pablo Rosario; Mohamed-Ali Cho, Terem Moffi, Gaëtan Laborde. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle