Pierre Lees Melou has just been transferred to OGCN.
He joins the red and black team.
He was at a press conference last week. Portrait of an unusual player.
Pierre Lees Melou, OGCN’s latest recruit
Once again, according to OGCN’s president, “he’s a player we’ve been following for a long time. It’s a great pleasure to welcome him too. We hope that with the coach and everyone here, he will feel good. He needs to keep progressing to show all his qualities.
Pierre Lees Melou already has experience in Ligue 1.”
He continues: “He showed all his qualities this year at Dijon. Quite a few goals, presence. It’s somewhat the difference compared to others. He’s already ready, already here. He’s already shown us good qualities in training, even though we haven’t had very long sessions yet.”
Pierre, what was your reaction when you found out GYM was interested in you?
Pierre Lees Melou responds: “Of course, it’s always a pleasure, it’s always good news when a club like Nice is interested in you. I kept on playing my football without losing focus. I am very happy to be in Nice, to be able to start this new project. I couldn’t wait to start again.”
After Dijon, joining the Nice team, is it a logical step for you in teams that like to play the ball?
A logical step, I don’t know, replies Pierre Lees.
”It was important to go to a team that plays the ball like Nice.
It suits my game, in terms of technique, ground play.”
Were you already in contact with Arnaud Souquet?
“I was in a bit of contact with him. We got along very well at Dijon. We stayed together often so, of course, I had inside information about the club.”
Bordeaux was interested in your profile, yet you chose Nice. What made you switch at some point?
“Yes, apparently they were interested, but Nice, of course, had early contacts, they had been interested in me for a while. As I said, the project is very interesting. The game philosophy, the coach, the staff made me want to come here.”
“No hard feelings towards Bordeaux, I always said I thanked them. They were the ones who trained me for 6 years. They taught me all the basics ‘right foot, left foot, header.’
I was too small, not good enough, too bad for me.”
Are you aware that you came from far, that you have an atypical path?
“Yes, absolutely, that’s why I always smile. I always go to training with a desire to work. I realize that I am very lucky to be here.”
The fact that Nice plays the preliminary round of the Champions League, did it help you decide compared to other clubs?
“Of course, it makes you dream, it makes you want to. After all, it is a significant step compared to Dijon, but I came here to work, so I’m ready to give it my all. I’m ready to play this preliminary round.”
Back when you were playing at Ege-Cap-Ferret as an amateur, was becoming a professional in the back of your mind?
“No, I played football, I enjoyed it, but that was it. The step was too high, then it was over for me. Yet, when the opportunity arises, you don’t hesitate, you go for it…”
Coach, players with a different life path, who didn’t become professionals right away, does that change things in the locker room, in a team?
Lucien Favre responds: “No, absolutely not. I even find it very interesting. They have experienced complicated situations, they have learned to take the positives from them. They know how to react.”
“They necessarily have a different perspective. There were many uncertainties. Anyway, a career is made of uncertainties. He said it himself, he plays for pleasure, without any further thoughts. Suddenly, it came back. Now, he’s there, he’s motivated. It also shows a certain intelligence on the part of the player.
When you talk to me about the locker room, it is always important to have players like that.”
Coach Favre, is he a potential starter?
“That’s a tricky question,” continues Lucien Favre. “I can’t tell you. If we brought in Pierre Lees Melou, it’s because I quickly saw his qualities. He can play in a 4-3-3 as a right midfield, inside.
He can play in a 4-2-3-1 or in a 4-4-2, as an outside right midfield. It is important to have a player of this quality who scores goals. He runs a lot.”
Is the work and versatility really two important qualities for you, addressing Lucien Favre.
“Wanting to work is what everyone does. Wanting to move forward, without putting too much pressure on oneself. He also has potential, he has things to improve, which is logical at 24 years old. It’s very young. Versatility is important because we can shift from one system to another. All teams search for this type of player.”
Pierre Lees Melou, where do you feel best on the field?
Pierre replies: “Last year, I played a bit everywhere. I like being at the heart of the game, as well as on the wings. As long as I am on the field, I am happy.”
