Ross Barkley has opened up on the reasons behind his unexpected switch to OGC Nice after being released by Chelsea.
Many people were surprised when Barkley was recently revealed as a new Nice player. His contract with Chelsea, where he had lost favour, had already been terminated ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, some believed Great Britain would likely be his next stop.
Instead, he left the country to make a future commitment to the French club Nice. His first game for the team might happen this weekend; Nice is scheduled to play Ajaccio away in a Ligue 1 game on Sunday.
Nice’s announcement contained no quotes from Barkley at the time. The former Everton star has now spoken out about his choice to travel and test himself abroad.
“Nice is an ambitious club,” Barkley said at his official unveiling.
“Nice are a big club with a big history, that has won titles, that has qualified for European football numerous times in the past seasons, and that was a finalist in last year’s Coupe de France.
“There is also a super, passionate fanbase. I am very excited to play here.
“They presented me with a project over multiple years. It is a club that wants to go far, that wants to be a big club at a European level.
“I managed to speak with Dave Brailsford, who showed me the growth project at the club. Jim Ratcliffe also convinced me to come here to help the team progress.”
