OGC Nice forward Evann Guessand has shed light on his decision to reject an opportunity to join Olympique de Marseille during his early career, citing concerns over the club’s approach to young players.
Guessand’s Rise at Nice
The 23-year-old striker has been in fine form this season, scoring 11 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances.
His performances have made him a key figure for Nice, but his path could have been different had he accepted an offer from Marseille in his youth.
Before joining Nice, Guessand was developing at ASPTT Marseille and had the chance to move to OM.
However, he opted against it, believing his chances of breaking into the first team would have been limited.
Concerns Over Development at Marseille
Speaking to DAZN, Guessand explained his reasoning: “Marseille didn’t prioritize young players. That’s why I mentioned Claude Puel. At the time, we didn’t know he was going to leave, but we were convinced that Nice would provide more opportunities for young talent while also keeping me close to my family.”
He added: “Although Marseille approached me, I had doubts about whether their project would truly support my development, especially in terms of playing time.”
A Well-Judged Decision
Guessand’s move to Nice has proven to be a success, with the Ivorian international now playing a pivotal role in their attack.
His steady rise suggests that his concerns about Marseille’s youth policy may have been well-founded.
While OM has made efforts in recent years to integrate more young players, Guessand’s decision appears to have been the right one for his career trajectory.
