PROFILE | OGC Nice’s Evann Guessand – the managers’ pet

Every cloud has a silver lining. The ACL injury suffered by Nice’s top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, Terem Moffi, was a huge blow for Franck Haise’s side. But without it, Evann Guessand would likely have left his formative club this summer, perhaps even by following Francesco Farioli to Ajax. “There were offers this summer but leaving without showing my qualities… I needed perseverance,” said the striker, who made the breakthrough into the Ivory Coast set-up this year. 

For Guessand, it has taken loan spells at Laussane and Nantes to get a sniff of the first team at Nice. Returning to Le Gym for the 2023/24 season, he played second-fiddle to Moffi but when he got his chances, he showed that he could be more than simply a back-up. In fact, he showed that he was a more complete forward than the Nigerian, even if Moffi was more adept in one key aspect – finishing; that being said, Guessand still netted six Ligue 1 goals from just 14 starts last season (34 appearances overall). 

But despite often bringing more than a struggling Moffi, in his build-up, his pressing, his frequent runs in behind, his ability to manufacture space, and manipulate the opposition, he failed to dislodge the Nigerian. “What does he lack to start? Absolutely nothing! You know how much I rate him. Whether he starts or finishes, he brings us a lot,” said Farioli last season.

Guessand – a manager’s favourite under Farioli and now Haise

Moffi’s injury provided a golden opportunity and he has well and truly grasped it. His dribbling ability on the ball is reminiscent of Khéphren Thuram in his pomp at Nice and that sound of seats lifting that was associated with the now-Juventus midfielder receiving possession is now heard whenever Guessand gets on the ball at the Allianz Riviera. 

Perfectly poised, well-balanced, strong, and direct, he leads the line for Nice, sets the example. That finishing touch is sometimes still lacking, even if he has six goals in his 15 Ligue 1 appearances. He is the most complete incomplete striker, mastering so many facets of the game… just not always the vital one. “If I have expectations of him, it’s because I believe in him,” said Franck Haise in November, aware of Guessand’s margin for improvement. Guessand has turned doubters into believers at Nice and it is to his credit that, when Moffi returns, there is no guarantee that he slots straight back into the side, although Guessand’s versatility should at least ensure that he retains a spot somewhere across the front line, regardless.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle