‘It’s a pretty good sign’ – Franck Haise confident of Jonathan Clauss’ commitment to OGC Nice | OneFootball

After a turbulent period, Jonathan Clauss (33) and OGC Nice may finally be back on the same page. 

The relationship between Clauss and Nice turned sour over the summer. The Frenchman almost joined Bayer Leverkusen during the summer window, however, Nice priced him out of the move. With just one year remaining on his deal, Clauss was keen on a move to the Bundesliga giants. He was even removed from the first-team set-up momentarily, with the France international unsettled. 

He was reintegrated, however, a couple of months later, he had seemingly still not come to terms with that failed move. Clauss asked to be brought off at half-time during Nice’s 2-1 win over Stade Rennais back in October and he then missed the win over Lille OSC (2-0) a few days later. The defender claimed to be suffering from a knee injury, but tests did not reveal an injury; naturally, there was scepticism. There was a suspicion that Clauss was making himself unavailable in order not to play a certain number of matches, which would then see his expiring contract automatically extended for a further season. 

Haise admitted that “no one at the club is taking the situation well” at the end of October, and to resolve the problem, sporting director Florian Maurice even offered a contract extension. 

Clauss in line to face former club Marseille

However, there are now signs of the relationship healing. Haise admitted that the international break came at the right time for everyone. Clauss was not called up by France and so remained in Nice, where he spoke to Haise, albeit solely on a sporting level, as he said in Thursday’s press conference attended by Get French Football News. 

“The break did him good. He was very focused, and he worked well. When a player comes to talk, to try and improve things [tactically] for the collective, it is a pretty good sign,” said Haise. Clauss will likely play a part against his former club, Olympique de Marseille, on Friday night.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice