There has been great fanfare around Elye Wahi’s (23) return to OGC Nice. After being greeted by the club’s fans at the airport on Sunday, he signed on a season-long loan from Eintracht Frankfurt. Unlike last season’s short-term loan, this deal includes a buy option. In a roundtable interview attended by Get French Football News, the Ivory Coast international spoke for the first time since his return.
At the start of the summer, a return to Nice looked impossible for you. Was it a difficult wait to make it a reality?
I remained confident. I kept working because I still had to get fairly close. My relationship with the club? I think it was love at first sight. When I look at a girl, it’s love at first sight — that’s exactly what happened with OGC Nice, and I’m very happy about it. Now, over the course of a whole year, I want to show them that the trust they placed in me was justified. That’s all I’m going to do this season […] the last few months happened; unfortunately, the season wasn’t fantastic, but the most important thing was staying in Ligue 1, and that’s what we managed to do. Now, I think that’s in the past. We have to look forward, and it’s up to us to give a good image.
How have you reacted to the welcome you have received since rejoining? There were notably many supporters at the airport to welcome you…
I received a lot of messages on my social media. Unfortunately, I couldn’t reply to them. I’m very happy — it was an exceptional welcome, and I thank them. Did I expect the welcome at the airport? No, honestly, not at all. When I landed, I went to the toilet, and I could hear noises. I was thinking, “What is that?” Once I came back, I saw two or three familiar faces and immediately understood.
When you joined in January, you were looking to get your career back on track. You return now as something of a saviour. There is a change of status. Does that change anything?
Of course. I know I’ll be expected to perform. But that’s the kind of responsibility I want to have. I’m very happy about it, and I’ll give everything for the club and even for the supporters […] Personal objectives are important. But after the season we had last year, the most important thing is to think collectively and not think about yourself. If the whole team manages to have the season we’re supposed to have and finish as high as possible, I think that would be a successful season.
More specifically, what would be a successful season for Nice?
Finishing in the top 10, I think, would be a successful season given what we went through last season. In any case, we’ll do everything we can to get there. Is there positive energy and momentum in the squad? Yes, I’d say so. Even from the match this weekend. Unfortunately, we didn’t win. But I think we did some very good things, particularly collectively in our build-up play. And as time goes on, I think that’s something we can put into practice and use to move forward.
Are you already looking beyond the loan spell? There is a buy option this time…
For now, there are these nine months. The season hasn’t even started for me yet. We’ll see when the time comes.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
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