Speaking to the press during his unveiling as an OGC Nice player, former Chelsea and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley (28) said that he was “very excited” to play for the club. 

Asked about his decision to join the club, Barkley responded, “Nice is an ambitious club. 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. I was also convinced by the coach, who is a big European-level coach, and who plays an attacking style of football. I have seen his former sides play and it’s something that guided my choice.”

Barkley didn’t play a minute of football for Chelsea this season before his contract with the club was terminated, allowing Nice to sign him on a free transfer. Questioned about his fitness, he replied, “With Chelsea, I trained with the reserves at the start of the season. They were intense sessions. I feel very fit physically. I obviously didn’t play a lot last season, but I feel ready today.”

The England international was also asked about his knowledge of OGC Nice: “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.”

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