Jérémie Boga, who joined this week from Atalanta BC, introduced himself to the media for the first time since signing for Le Gym.

We’d been speaking about you coming to OGC Nice for a long time, and now, you’re finally a Nice player! Why now, and what convinced you to join?

We’d been in contact with each other for a while. In the past, it just hadn’t quite happened, but this year, everything was in place for it to happen, and I’m very happy to be here.

What convinced me? The project and what the coach, the president and the sporting director had to say. Everything was in place for me to enjoy myself and to come and help the team. I’m very happy to have signed for Nice.

Can you tell us about your time at Atalanta? 

My spell at Atalanta was slightly tricky, but I’ll hold onto the positives from it. The conditions weren’t right for it to work, but I don’t have any regrets. I learned a lot about myself and about my personality. Not everyone gets the chance to play for one of the top clubs in Italy. It’s a marriage that didn’t work out, but I’ve come away from it stronger. I’m not here to diss my former club. It’s a marriage that didn’t work out; it can happen.

COACH FARIOLI “HAS ENORMOUS TALENT, AND YOU’LL SEE IT SOON”

You got to know coach Francesco Farioli at Sassuolo, when he was Roberto De Zerbi’s assistant. What was his method? Did you build a close bond with him at the time?

We’ve known each other for a while. We spent two or three years together at Sassuolo, and I liked his playing style. When I spoke to him on the phone, I already knew more or less what he was going to suggest to me. I didn’t hesitate, as his playing style suits me really well and gives me the freedom to express my talent. I’m sure that we’ll have a good season together.

Did you ever imagine being reunited with him at Nice?

Back in the Sassuolo days, no, as you can’t predict the future! I followed his progress in Turkey, and I’m not surprised to be reunited with him here. I know that he has enormous talent, and you’ll see it soon.

It was in Italy that your career took off. Was it important for you to come back to France and to show French football what kind of player you’ve become? 

It was important, and it was the right time. I’ve found the perfect project with OGC Nice. I only spent a year in France with Rennes [in 2015–2016], so French people don’t really know about me. I think that it’s the right time for me to come back and to show my quality again in Ligue 1.

What’s your preferred position? Is it exclusively on the left side of the attack, or can you play behind the striker or on the right?

My preference is on the left, but throughout my career, I’ve been given the chance to play in several different positions, so I’ll adapt to wherever the coach wants to put me.

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