Alassane Pléa signed with OGC Nice last Wednesday but was presented this Monday at the Allianz Riviera. The former Lyon player is the fifth recruit of the Eagles this season. He even made his debut last Friday evening at the Vélodrome against Marseille in their 4-0 defeat. At 21 years old, the new Nice striker is showing ambition.
Last Wednesday, less than a week before the end of the transfer window, the management of OGC Nice signed their fifth recruit. After Julien Vercauteren, Niklas Hult, Souleymane Diawara, and Simon Pouplin, here comes Alassane Pléa. The French-Malian arrives from Olympique Lyonnais where he had prepared, but during the second half of the 2013-2014 season, he joined AJ Auxerre in Ligue 2. Looking for playing time, he played 16 matches there and scored 3 goals.
Obstructed at Olympique Lyonnais by competition for offensive positions and not in the plans of the new coach, Hubert Fournier, he was initially blocked by his president Jean-Michel Aulas. A few weeks later, there was a turnaround by the Lyon management in response to the young striker’s wish.
“I asked to leave Lyon because the coach wasn’t counting on me. When my agent talked to me about Nice’s interest, I immediately accepted because I know this club trusts young players. I am only 21, and I need playing time to improve in many areas,” explained Alassane Pléa during his presentation to the media.
Trained as a right midfielder, Pléa can also fill in as a forward, as he did last Friday upon entering the game in Marseille. For twenty minutes, he took his place alongside Dario Cvitanich. The new Eagle also arrives to compensate for the loan of Jérémy Pied to Guingamp, who started the season in this position on the right side. He will also compete with the Belgian recruit, Julien Vercauteren.
“Alassane has the fundamental qualities for high-level play, and he has everything he needs to progress through the ranks. His versatility in offensive positions and his journey (Lyon then Nice) remind me of Loïc Rémy,” notes Claude Puel.
Presented to the press this Monday, the new number 14 of Nice got to discover Allianz Riviera. He set foot on the pitch for the first time and checked out the locker room of the Azureans. He is expected to make his home debut on Saturday, September 13th at 8 pm for the match against FC Metz.
