Morgan Sanson rises from outcast to captain under Claude Puel as Nice visit Toulouse | OneFootball

Morgan Sanson has gone from outcast to captain under Claude Puel, with Nice visiting Toulouse on Saturday at 19:00.

According to L'Équipe, Sanson, 31, was scarcely used by Franck Haise before December, averaging about 15 minutes per Ligue 1 game and starting only in the Europa League. He missed only three matches through injury in the summer, yet the club even considered letting him leave.

Last season was miserable, a misdiagnosed injury sidelining him for seven months. He returned for the run-in and struck twice in a 3-1 win over PSG in late April, then his season was effectively over.

Communication with Haise had largely broken down, and Sanson accepts he did not show enough at times in training, which he believes harmed the collective. He also felt the lack of starts left him short physically.

Since Puel’s arrival in late December, he has worn the armband in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, viewing it as a small reward that boosts his confidence. He has taken a lead with younger team-mates and was vocal at half time against Saint-Étienne.

Now in a 4-3-3 in his preferred midfield role, he welcomes the demands to defend, attack and press, with an emphasis on attacking combinations. Puel considers him a good player but says he must rebuild physical density and solidity, a call that extends to the team.

Source: L'Équipe