Nicolas Pallois loses Reims place, left out v Boulogne as future questioned | OneFootball

At 38, and 39 in September, Nicolas Pallois has lost his place at Reims since mid-January, putting his future at the club under scrutiny as they aim to return to Ligue 1.

According to L'Équipe, he arrived last summer after eight seasons at Nantes and was made captain. An adductor injury in late August checked his momentum. On his return at Saint-Étienne on 20 September, a 2-3 defeat, he featured in 14 squads and started 13.

The turning point followed the 1-2 loss at Troyes on 17 January. With Cameroon international Samuel Kotto joining on loan with an option to buy, he appears to have moved ahead in the centre-back pecking order. Pallois has not played a league minute across the last 10 rounds and, last weekend, was omitted from the 0-0 against Boulogne, his first non-injury absence of the season.

His appearance in the stands sparked unfounded rumours, including talk of a dismissal by text. President Jean-Pierre Caillot was angered and said no such message was sent, adding that Pallois attended the game, went to the dressing room afterwards and remains highly respected.

The player’s entourage also rejected those claims, highlighting his professionalism and readiness to contribute if selected.

Head coach Karel Geraerts described the omission as a purely sporting choice and underlined his respect for the defender. Questions remain over his one-season deal, including whether any appearance threshold or promotion to Ligue 1 could trigger an extension. For now, his second half of the campaign is far from what he envisaged on arrival.

Source: L'Équipe