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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 5, 2022 8:36:14 GMT
Ross Barkley has left England and joined Nice's Premier League revolution in Ligue 1 after leaving Chelsea Everton academy product Barkley moved to Chelsea in 2018 after eight years in the Toffees first-team, and in that time he played in their Europa League final win over Arsenal
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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 9, 2022 16:58:41 GMT
Ross Barkley has said he is 'very excited' to play for OGC Nice - even if his manager doesn't know his position. The former Chelsea and Everton midfielder joined the French club this summer after the termination of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The new number 11 was one of several former Premier League players joining Nice in recent weeks, including Aaron Ramsey, Kasper Schmeichel, and Arsenal loanee Nicolas Pepe. According to Get Football News France, the 28-year-old told reporters: 'Nice is an ambitious club. They presented me with a project over multiple years. It is a club that wants to go far, that wants to be a big club at a European level. 'I managed to speak with Dave Brailsford, who showed me the growth project at the club. Jim Ratcliffe also convinced me to come here to help the team progress. 'I was also convinced by the coach, who is a big European-level coach, and who plays an attacking style of football. I have seen his former sides play and it’s something that guided my choice.' It comes just days after Sportsmail reported that Nice boss Lucien Favre said he did not know Ross Barkley's best position, telling reporters at a press conference: 'I'm told he's more of an eight.' Barkley also dismissed fears about his fitness levels after not playing for the Blues this season before leaving England. 'With Chelsea, I trained with the reserves at the start of the season,' the England international said. 'They were intense sessions. I feel very fit physically. I obviously didn’t play a lot last season, but I feel ready today.' 'Nice are a big club with a big history, that has won titles, that has qualified for European football numerous times in the past seasons, and that was a finalist in last year’s Coupe de France,' Barkley said. 'There is also a super, passionate fanbase. I am very excited to play here.' Nice's UEFA Conference League campaign started with a 1-1 draw against Koln on Thursday, before travelling to Ajaccio for their next Ligue 1 game on Sunday. www.dailymail.co.uk/
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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 10, 2022 18:21:36 GMT
Ross Barkley has broken his silence on why he has made the surprise switch to OGC Nice following his release by Chelsea.
Barkley was recently unveiled as a new Nice player, which came as a surprise to many. His contract with Chelsea, where he had fallen out of favour, had been ripped up ahead of schedule. Still, some felt his next destination would most likely be in Great Britain.
Instead, he has headed abroad in order to commit his future to French club Nice. His debut for the club could follow this weekend; Nice are due to play Ajaccio away on Sunday in a Ligue 1 match.
At the time of his announcement, Nice’s statement carried no quotes from Barkley. Now, though, the former Everton star has opened up on his decision to test himself abroad.
“Nice is an ambitious club,” Barkley said at his official unveiling.
“Nice are a big club with a big history, that has won titles, that has qualified for European football numerous times in the past seasons, and that was a finalist in last year’s Coupe de France.
“There is also a super, passionate fanbase. I am very excited to play here.
“They presented me with a project over multiple years. It is a club that wants to go far, that wants to be a big club at a European level.
“I managed to speak with Dave Brailsford, who showed me the growth project at the club. Jim Ratcliffe also convinced me to come here to help the team progress.”
The British connection has been evident with Nice’s acquisition of Aaron Ramsey this summer, who left Juventus in similar circumstances to how Barkley’s time at Chelsea ended.
But another factor for Barkley was Swiss coach Lucien Favre.
“I was also convinced by the coach, who is a big European-level coach, and who plays an attacking style of football,” Barkley added.
“I have seen his former sides play and it’s something that guided my choice.”
Ross Barkley ready to contribute for OGC Nice Barkley was restricted to just six Premier League appearances in his final season with Chelsea. He was not under consideration for first-team involvement ahead of the current campaign, hence his departure.
However, the 28-year-old still feels he has put in enough preparation to compete at a decent standard with Nice.
“With Chelsea, I trained with the reserves at the start of the season,” he said.
“They were intense sessions. I feel very fit physically. I obviously didn’t play a lot last season, but I feel ready today.”
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Post by jimmy on Sept 12, 2022 7:11:34 GMT
Why didn't a premier league team take him?
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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 13, 2022 10:19:20 GMT
Why didn't a premier league team take him? Cause he isn't good enough? and probably wage demands would be too much for what he offers
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