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One of the reasons why OGC Nice are doing so well in the Ligue 1 and could quite conceivably qualify for Europa League next season, is the form of their 25-year-old attacking midfielder Eric Bautheac.
Bautheac, who joined Nice from Dijon, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, has been in cracking form and so far this term in 31 games, has scored 7 goals and assisted in 7 goals too. He is Nice’s 2nd top goal scorer behind the Argentine Dario Cvitanich. Even last year at Dijon, he excelled and scored 3 and assisted in 5 in 34 appearances for a side that were eventually relegated.
These kind of performances have now alerted the likes of Marseille, Lazio and Newcastle of the player’s talents.
Bautheac’s strengths include his ability to take exceptional set pieces. He is extremely good at direct free-kicks and he is also a good passer as well as a good crosser of the ball. Apart from down the middle, he can play on either wing as well. Newcastle could certainly do with a player like him, having failed to score from a corner for close to 18 months.
The player is aware of all the interest that is supposedly in him. This is what he told L’Equipe about the possibility of a move:
“Of course it’s flattering when a club like Newcastle, OM or Lazio are following me, but I signed a three-year contract with Nice.
“I really want to experience the new stadium so I will do all I can to still be here next season. But we will have to see what the directors want.”
The player has said all the right things; we know the financial muscle of other clubs and it would not be surprising to see him fly out of Nice’s nest. With Newcastle’s penchant for shopping in France, we would not be surprised if they were indeed in for him. However, midfield is one area where they remain decently stocked. Lazio could also do with him if they let Hernanes go and Marseille’s Valbuena has been linked with a move away from Stade Velodrome.
I also highlighted Bautheac as one of top talents that all football clubs should scout in the article 10 Frenchmen that every football club should scout – Part 1 a few months ago and it looks like clubs are starting to take note.
