“The Characteristics of an INEOS Player” By Joe Thomas, Staff Writer
When Bob Ratcliffe, brother of then CEO of Nice, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, outlined what makes “an INEOS player”, it was clear that the French club’s new ownership had a vision for their teams. “People who can work hard for the team, track back, those sorts of characteristics,” the younger Ratcliffe explained, emphasizing the importance of attractive football. However, since INEOS’s takeover of the club in 2019, the concept of an “INEOS player” has led to a confused transfer strategy at the Ligue 1 side.
Following the key acquisitions under INEOS and Ratcliffe, it has become apparent that the club’s biggest buys have faced varying degrees of success. From noteworthy successes to underperforming players, Nice’s transfer decisions have been the subject of much scrutiny.
One of the biggest acquisitions by Nice was Alexis Beka Beka who made a memorable start for the club. However, he has since struggled for game time. Similarly, Stanley N’Soki, who was purchased by Nice for a considerable fee, was later sold at a loss to Club Brugge. On the other hand, Gaetan Laborde’s performance as the club’s top scorer in his debut campaign has been a highlight. Nice has made significant transfers such as Kasper Dolberg and Sofiane Diop, but their performances have been inconsistent.
Furthermore, Jeremie Boga and Alexis Claude-Maurice, while individually talented, have struggled to replicate their past success since joining Nice. The club’s transfer moves have been scrutinized by sporting and financial experts, with varying opinions on the success and shortcomings of these acquisitions.
Despite the varied results of Nice’s transfer strategy, one thing is certain: the club’s ownership has not shied away from making significant investments in talent. Therefore, as the new season approaches, there are high hopes for the potential of these players to perform, and contribute to the success of the team. Nice’s ambitions are clear, but whether their transfer strategy pays off remains to be seen.
