After a great start to the season with Nice, Todibo is attracting major interest this January. The France international has already been the subject of an approach from Tottenham, however, according to Fabrizio Romano, the move seemed to collapse after Tottenham wanted to quickly conclude a transfer, whilst Les Aiglons were wanting to wait. 

In the wake of Tottenham’s failure to quickly conclude a deal for Todibo, Chelsea, who are still unsatisfied with their defence, despite significant investment in recent windows, have opened talks with Nice, according to Foot Mercato. Manchester United, who in INEOS now share a common owner, are still interested in Todibo, as they have been for many months. A move to Old Trafford seems logical given the newly constructed link between the clubs, however, a move is unlikely to take place before the summer. 

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Nice fans believed they had drawn the short straw, and that Rennes were very much the benefactors of the deal. Events since have proven otherwise. 

Since his move to the Allianz Riviera, he has scored 19 goals and registered five assists in 61 appearances in all competitions. That is a significant return for a player that rarely features through the middle, despite possessing many of the characteristics that you would attribute to a ‘typical’ No.9, although, in light of Terem Moffi’s recent underperformance, Laborde has been played through the middle on a more regular basis. 

However, Laborde is not simply a producer of goals. His work off the ball is just as important as his work on it. His understanding of pressing and the ease with which he assimilates defensive instructions into his performances makes him an extremely valuable player in Francesco Farioli’s high-flying Nice side. 

Laborde pessimism was unfounded

For a player so versatile and so useful in both phases of play, it is almost inexplicable why he has never garnered the interest of some of Europe’s elite. He is perhaps one of the many players over the age of 27 who aren’t truly valued due to their age. Other teams’ ignorance is Nice’s gain, however, and whilst the 27-year-old isn’t enjoying his most prolific season, he has still been crucial for Nice. 

In his defence, Nice have been far from prolific, even despite their second-place standing in Ligue 1. Laborde has three of Nice’s 19 goals this season. Chance creation has been a weak point for Nice in the first half of the season and a facet of the game that Farioli’s side must work on if they are to retain their league position. 

If they are to do so, the eternally undervalued Laborde will be a huge part of that success. Rarely has a move greeted with such ambivalence, even pessimism, been such a success. Given Laborde’s track record, he arguably should never have been doubted. 

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However, it is a sight that is becoming increasingly rare; the audible rustling of seats when Thuram gets on the ball is still a regular feature of Nice’s home matches at the Allianz Riviera, however, in past weeks, what comes next has been underwhelming. 

Thuram was at his best at the start of 2023. He was the biggest benefactor of the managerial change that saw Didier Digard arrive on an interim basis. Between the end of January and May, there was no better midfielder in Ligue 1. His ability to break the press and penetrate through the lines is unparalleled. His elegance and efficiency in slaloming vertically through a packed midfield is most reminiscent of former Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembélé. 

Like Dembélé, Thuram’s impact is not often reflected in statistics. With no goals or assists this season, and just two goals and eight assists (48 appearances in all competitions) last season, his return is a relatively meagre one. 

It is a clear area for improvement. His inefficiency in front of goal is a clear weakness, and one which Thuram admits he must address. “I need to finish better [but]  It is a good thing that I find myself in front of the goal,” he said in a press conference in November. 

Thuram developing defensive game under Farioli

His lack of success in front of goal is in stark contrast to his brother’s goalscoring feats. Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram has eight goals since his summer move to Serie A. However, Marcus “doesn’t tease” younger brother Khéphren about his poor finishing, but rather “encourages” him to improve. Many of Thuram’s goals for Nice come from outside the box. The harder the chance is to score, the more chance of scoring; the opposite is also true, indicating less a lack of confidence but a difficulty in handling the pressure of having to convert the more high-quality chances. 

Defensively, Thuram has certainly improved, and he has had to. Due to his physique, the Frenchman has, at times, been mis-profiled as a No.6. At times this season, due to a lack of depth, he has had to fill in in that position. Whenever he has done so, he has been proficient, albeit unspectacular. His positioning was particularly good, and his ability to follow instructions and drop into the back-line in order to form a five-man defence at times was a clear strength. 

“I have progressed in my defensive game. I am better tactically,” said Thuram, who under Francesco Farioli is developing certain aspects of his game and becoming a more rounded player as a result. 

However, Farioli’s play-style arguably does restrain Thuram in some ways. The Italian is particularly conscious of his rest defence in possession. A marauding player like Thuram is not necessarily a welcome joker in the pack when such focus is put on defensive solidity and protecting oneself from dangerous transitions and turnovers. 

With Thuram’s outstanding strength masked somewhat in recent weeks, the excitement that has accompanied him in recent months and years has slightly dissipated. He had been the subject of interest from Liverpool in particular in the summer, however, as he told Get French Football News, a departure from the Allianz Riviera was not on the agenda. 

“Regarding what happened in the transfer window, I decided to stay. I wanted to continue to progress at Nice, progress as a player at this club. Honestly, it made me happy to be linked to all these clubs left, right and centre. It shows I’m doing the right things but as I said, I knew I wanted to stay here,” said the Frenchman. 

Time will tell if that decision was a smart one. He undoubtedly had EURO 2024 in mind when making his decision. Having earned his first cap for Les Bleus in 2023, he then sought to consolidate his place in Didier Deschamps’ set-up, but his difficult start to the season has thus far prevented him from featuring again for France. 

Will Thuram’s decision to remain at Nice be validated?

Whilst the season is yet young, Thuram won’t have too many more chances to impress Deschamps, who only has one more international break during which to evaluate his options. Thuram will therefore need a strong start to 2024. The former AS Monaco academy midfielder missed Nice’s final games of 2023 with a knee injury, which could also see him miss the return of Ligue 1 football in early January. 

At Nice, however, if he is fit, Thuram starts, and it is perhaps this fact that validates his decision to remain with Le Gym. If this year has shown one thing, it is that Thuram has great promise but also glaring weaknesses. He is an unpolished diamond and the guarantee of a place in the starting XI during this phase of development allows him to perfect his game, without the fear of omission. 

The conditions are near-optimal for Thuram to return to his best in 2024, however, there is no denying that next year will be a pivotal one. Thuram shows promise but his ceiling is yet to be ascertained. 

Granted, Thuram has made strides in 2023 but he must make further strides in 2024. He is yet to master the ability to control the midfield and his decision-making in the final third is a point of contention that has been highlighted in previous years. His ability to make improvements in these areas in particular will determine how high Thuram will go. 

A good half-season could see him earn that long-awaited big-money move and even work his way into Deschamps’ plans for EURO 2024. However, it could equally be a year of stagnation. Thuram’s ability to become an even more versatile, and therefore even more effective midfielder, will determine whether he sinks or swims at Nice.

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Cahuzac, who spent the 2022/23 season as Franck Haise’s assistant manager at RC Lens, Cahuzac was chosen to integrate Francesco Farioli’s backroom staff at Nice in the summer. However, there was considerable fan backlash to the move, dating back to a heated match between Nice and Bastia back in 2014, which led to a pitch invasion. The ultras stance on Cahuzac joining did not evolve, and ultimately, sporting director Florent Ghisolfi had to reverse his decision to bring the Frenchman to the Allianz Riviera. 

However, as revealed by Ouest-France, he is now set to become an assistant manager to Régis Le Bris at struggling Lorient. Cahuzac will join Les Merlus, who are currently in the Ligue 1 relegation zone, until the end of the season. 

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It has been widely reported that Atal will likely leave Nice in the winter. The Ligue 1 club are keen to offload the Algerian international, who appeared at a hearing in Nice earlier this month after being charged by the Nice Public Prosecutor with “condoning terrorism and public provocation of hate or violence based on religion.” The charges came after Atal shared an anti-semitic post from a Palestinian preacher, who called on God to “send Jewish people a dark day.“

Soares garnering Turkish interest

Atal will discover the verdict of the hearing on 3rd January after the Public Prosecutor requested a 10-month suspended prison sentence and a €45,000 fine during the hearing earlier in December. Regardless, he is expected to leave Les Aiglons, and Beşiktaş have shown an interest in recent hours. 

However, The Turkish club are simultaneously sounding out alternatives. According to Foot Mercato, Beşiktaş have also contacted the entourage of Arsenal full-back Soares, who has also come into contact with Trabzonspor. 

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Damien Martinelli, Nice’s Public Prosecutor, has told Nice-Matin that the judgement would not be contested. It brings an end to an affair that began back in April when an email from former colleague and Nice sporting director Julien Fournier, containing allegations of racism, was leaked. A full transcript of the email can be read here. 

It remains to be seen whether Galtier will initiate his own proceedings against Romain Molina and RMC Sport’s Daniel Riolo, who began the affair when they released the leaked email. Whilst Galtier’s entourage are yet to make a decision on this, the likelihood is that no attempts will be made to re-initiate proceedings. 

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Spurs are desperate for reinforcements at the heart of defence after having to field four natural full-backs in defence in their 4-2 defeat against Brighton. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have impressed for Spurs this season but have both had their separate issues with injuries and suspension. This has forced the Premier League club to look for reinforcements in January. Todibo was at the top of this list but Nice are in no rush to sell their key players as they look to mount a Ligue 1 title challenge.  

Radu Dragusin now the priority 

With their attempted move for Todibo about to collapse, Spurs have now shifted their focus to Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin (21), according to Fabrizio Romano. Ange Posteciglu has endorsed the move for the Romanian international and Spurs are looking to conduct a move with Genoa as quickly as possible. 

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As previously revealed by L’Équipe Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais are both interested in the Algerian international, who recently missed out on Les Fennecs’ AFCON squad. It has been reported that Benrahma would prefer a move to Marseille over Lyon. 

Adana Demirspor’s Yusuf Sari a target for Nice

However, there are other interested parties. Nice are also looking to strengthen in January in order to maintain their charge towards the UEFA Champions League places. Adana Demirspor’s Yusuf Sari (25) is also a target for Les Aiglons this winter, and represents an alternative to Benrahma, who would come with significant wages demands.

There is also interest in Benrahma outside of Europe with interest being registered from clubs in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. West Ham will be hoping that the interest becomes more concrete in order to drive up the price of an asset that looks destined for an exit. 

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The North London club had earmarked the former Barcelona defender as their number-one defensive target for the January transfer window. Talks are underway between Spurs and Nice, as revealed by Romano, but it appears no significant progress has been made in the pursuit of the 23-year-old centre-back. Les Aiglons are reluctant to see the French international leave in the winter window as they want to keep their key players amidst a title challenge in Ligue 1.

Genoa’s Radu Dragusin is also a target

Spurs are also considering other targets at centre-back in case they are unable to pull off a move for Todibo. Postecoglu has approved Romanian international defender Radu Dragusin (21) from Genoa as an alternative to the 23-year-old, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Lilywhites want to complete a deal for a centre-back next week.

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As revealed by Foot Mercato earlier on Friday, Kehrer is attracting interest from many clubs across Europe this January. As well Monaco, OGC Nice, Stade Rennais, and even Bayern Munich are all interested in the former Paris Saint-Germain centre-back. 

Having featured relatively prominently last season, Kehrer has found game time harder to come by this campaign. The German international, who departed PSG in 2022, has largely been used as a substitute, starting on just four occasions all season. West Ham are therefore not opposed to losing Kehrer this January.

Kehrer unkeen on Atalanta move

L’Équipe have confirmed Monaco’s interest in Kehrer, adding that they are stepping up their attempts to sign the German. Simultaneously, the Principality club are also looking to conclude a deal for Stade Brestois’ Lilian Brassier. 

However, Monaco still face competition to complete the deal for Kehrer. According to L’Équipe, Nice and Rennes have already submitted a contract offer to Kehrer. However, one team from which Les Monégasques won’t face competition is Atalanta. The Serie A side had shown interest, but Kehrer was not keen on the move. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle