“I'm a kid from the club.” The teenager that the French football world discovered one evening in December 2012 - he became the second youngest goal-scorer in Ligue 1 history by scoring the winning goal against Evian (3-2) - has never cut ties with his first club, his city, his fans. As a young man (23), Neal Maupay has since made a name for himself in the land of football. Fans of Tottenham, Arsenal and Everton have learned the lesson the hard way. A stylish, hard-working and committed striker, the 2012 Gambardella Cup winner has not been on the pitch since 7 March at Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium (0-0). Locked down across the Channel - "the weather is very good there, I can assure you" - the striker continues to prepare for a future that is full of uncertainty. He also took the opportunity to talk about his own Nice. With the frankness and affection of a local boy.

Neal, how has your season gone until now?
I signed last summer for Brighton. I'm happy with my first season in the Premier League. We're a small team, we don't dominate games (15th) and I have managed to score goals. It's good, but I still want to do better. I've been in England for three seasons now and I'm enjoying it. I'm growing, I'm playing, I'm scoring goals (8 goals, 2 assists in the Premier League this season, 41 goals and 14 assists in the previous 2 years with Brentford in the second division).

You left Le Gym in 2015. If you had to choose one, what would be your highlight from Nice?
Evian! It was my first goal as a professional, and I scored the winner in added time, in front of our fans (3-2 after Le Gym had been trailing 0-2)... It always gives me so many emotions when I think back. Especially when you know that the Stade du Ray doesn’t exist anymore. Those are some memorable moments.

‘WE ALWAYS HAD THAT BOND WITH THE FANS’

The the supporters as well…
Yes, we're still connected by those special moments we experienced together. My time in Nice ended sooner than expected: it was heartbreaking to leave the club. But I've always kept the link with the fans who have always supported me, as a Nice boy. Since I left, whenever I play a good game or score goals I get messages. It's good to see that they haven't forgotten me and that they still follow me (see below). For my part, I always follow Nice’s games, and as soon as I can get to the Allianz Riviera, I do!

As a Nice supporter, what is your best memory?
The Coupe de la Ligue in 2006 (2-1 loss in the final against Nancy). I'd been a fan since I was a kid and I was proud to see my club in the final. I was already playing for Nice. I was in my first year, but only the second year got to play in Paris. I had watched the final at home with my family.

And of your time in the youth academy?
The Gambardella Cup, without a doubt. The whole campaign, with the final at the Stade de France, was incredible. It was a real human adventure with Guy Mengual and Manu Pirès. I was 2 to 3 years younger than some of the squad, I was playing above my age group and it was great to be able to take part in it. If I had to choose one moment? Alexy Bosetti's goal in the final. I was on the bench, and that's when I said to myself: “We're going to win it!”

"CYPRIEN IS BACK LEADING MIDFIELD"

Of the current Nice players, who do you like?
Wylan Cyprien. After his injury, it took him a while to get back, which is fine. When you are so seriously injured, it takes time to get back to your best. I know what I’m talking about because I’ve been through it with my knee reconstruction in 2013. The doctors say that if you’re out for nine months, it takes just as long to get back to your best once your back. This year, Wylan is back leading the midfield. He balances the team, scores a few goals (8 in all competitions) and provides assists (5). He makes the team tick. There’s a reason why Patrick Vieira gives him the captain’s armband when Dante is missing.

If you had to choose one of your former teammates?
Cardinale. We have known each other since the academy. He is one of my best mates. When I played for Nice, we were always hanging out together. We didn’t get the chance to play together for the first team, because I’d left when he made his debut. I would also say Jordan Amavi, who had a great season before he left. Like Cardi, we are still good friends. As soon as we are all in Nice, we catch up.

Academy director Manu Pirès often cites the three of you as examples for the young players…
Really? That’s nice! Manu has been my mentor since I was little! I speak to him and message him regularly. We catch up when we can and I saw him at the ground recently. When I get the chance, I try to drop in and see the physios and everyone who works at the club. It’s important for me to catch up with everyone.

"IT MIGHT BE A WHILE"

What is your favourite place in Nice?
The Promenade des Anglais. When the weather is good, I love walking along the coast, having a drink or a bite to eat, the sun, the sea… it’s magnifique… It’s so strange to see the Promenade empty like at the moment… but this is a difficult time and this is the only solution we have at the moment to try and make things better. Like everyone, we are waiting for the situation to get better. It might be a while before I get down to Nice, but I can’t wait!

So finally, what’s your favourite Nice meal? 
La Socca! Although that’s not really a meal… Is the Pan bagnat a meal? If yes, I’d take that. Whenever I come to Nice that’s what I get. I miss it here. The English don’t really do French food, so there’s no chance of getting specialities from Nice! 

 

F. Hill

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