PROFILE | Jérémie Boga’s influence dwindles after stellar first season at Nice | OneFootball

Goals were at a premium for Nice in Ligue 1 last season, with the Riviera club scoring just 40 across the entire campaign. That means that Jérémie Boga’s 12 goal contributions (six goals, six assists) were significant in allowing Le Gym to return to European football by securing qualification to the Europa League. Given Nice’s significant €17m investment, which came amid INEOS’ decision to reduce spending at the French side, there was pressure on Boga, often inconsistent, to perform and do so consistently throughout the campaign. By and large, he delivered.

A prolific one-on-one winger, it felt at times last year as though his best characteristics were stifled by Francesco Farioli’s tactical instructions. Yet despite that, Boga still came sixth in Ligue 1 for successful take-ons and sixth for progressive carries. Those aren’t astonishing numbers, especially for a player like Boga, but the context within which they were achieved certainly makes it an achievement.

Boga suffers long-term injury

Whilst Boga handled the pressure of being the star signing last season, there has been a different kind of pressure this campaign. Terem Moffi’s ACL injury in pre-season meant that players across the front line would have to chip in more consistently with goals. Boga, now in his prime years after jumping around clubs and league, was expected to push on and break last season’s figures. Injuries have thus far prevented him from getting into full flow. However, when he is playing, he is proving less effective than he was last season and his statistics in Ligue 1 reflect that; he is currently without a goal in the French top flight. He does, however, have two in the Europa League, a competition within which Les Aiglons are faltering.

The minor knock that saw the Ivory Coast international miss the start of the campaign, as well as the talk of a move to AS Roma over the summer, are perhaps mitigating factors accounting for what is a slow start. Boga’s continued presence in the starting XI under Franck Haise evidences his continued importance to this side, however, with Evann Guessand and Mohamed-Ali Cho on the opposite wing both pushing on at the start of this season, Boga has been left behind. He is now set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a muscular injury that is expected to keep him out for around three months.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle