Author of a double and an assist against Monaco last weekend, the Nigerian could be an asset of choice in the race for Europe for the Gym.
Delivery. After three first games without being decisive, and with timid performances, Terem Moffi showed the full extent of his talent last Sunday during the derby against AS Monaco (0-3). The Nigerian made his game speak in depth, his speed and his finishing to register a double but also his sense of collective to – as a bonus – offer an assist to Khéphren Thuram.
To the delight of Didier Digard: “I had no doubts. The main thing is that he had the support of all his teammates and his staff. We are aware and it is almost logical that you may have doubtsexplained the OGC coach after the match. He was able to work very calmly with the confidence of everyone. Today he was rewarded, but for me it makes sense.»
(Too) discreet beginnings
If the 36-year-old technician was not worried, others were. In itself, the ex-Lorient – author of twelve goals in eighteen matches with the Merlus this season – did not need much time to find his marks. But during his first (difficult) weeks on the Côte d’Azur, his price stuck to his skin. Recruited on a paid loan with an obligation to buy, he should cost Les Aiglons nearly €30m, including bonuses. And at this price, the supporters expected that he could immediately give his full measure.
Read alsoTransfer market: Nice breaks the piggy bank for Terem Moffi from Lorient (official)
After a (very) discreet third match against Stade de Reims (0-0), Didier Digard was forced to publicly support him: “I know there are a lot of expectations from the public because it’s the biggest transfer in the history of the club. The staff are very happy with what they are doing because it takes time. He has an irreproachable state of mind, he is hardworking and at the service of the team.he said at a press conference. It’s positive even if I suspect that everyone wants to see goals. With what he shows us, I am very confident.“Some of his new teammates had done the same, like Jean-Clair Todibo: “You have to give it time to adapt. In training he shows a lot. He has enormous qualities and I’m not worried about what he can bring. We are confident, we must give him time».
Read alsoOM: after shame, the fear of emptiness
An asset of choice in the race for Europe?
With his good performance against the Rock club last Sunday, Terem Moffi has removed some doubts. But the 23-year-old striker must now confirm. Because if OGC Nice recruited him so expensively, and struggled so hard to snatch him from the hands of Olympique de Marseille, which also had an agreement with FC Lorient, it was to make him an element key to his project. “Today he is like a fish in water. I really think we are the right club for Terem. He recovered the number 9, even if Marseille had promised him too. In what we are building, it really corresponds to what we are looking for in terms of values“Explained recently Florent Ghilsolfi, the sports director of Nice, to Nice morning.
Read alsoPSG: annus horribilis for the warrior Kimpembe, KO but who promises to “come back stronger”
If he lives up to expectations, he could be an asset of choice for the Aiglons in the race for Europe. Because if they have long been away from qualifying places for European competitions, the men of Didier Digard (7th) are only six points away from fifth position – occupied by Stade Rennais – synonymous with the Europa League in 2023- 24. Note that given the course of events in the Coupe de France, with Lyon (9th), Toulouse (11th), Nantes (13th) and the residents of Ligue 2 Annecy still on the track, we should not count on the sixth place to hope to compete in a European competition next year…
In any case, the Nigerian is confident for the rest of the season and sees his match against ASM as a trigger. “It is just beginning“, he published after his double and his decisive pass at the Stade Louis-II. It’s up to him to prove it this Friday evening (9 p.m.) against AJ Auxerre, at the Allianz Riviera, at the start of the 26th day of Ligue 1.