Victim of a cruciate ligament rupture last January in the Coupe de France, Bilal Nadir made his return to the OM group. And the player should have a card to play because Roberto De Zerbi loves his style.
In almost total anonymity, Bilal Nadir signed for Olympique de Marseille in July 2021 from OGC Nice. Just 18 years old at the time of his signing, the French midfielder never managed to find a place in the professional group, neither with Jorge Sampaoli, nor with Igor Tudor. Last season, his playing time began to increase with Jean-Louis Gasset when the former Nice player suffered a terrible rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This could have marked the early end of his story with OM, where competition is tough. But against all expectations, Bilal Nadir is back in the forefront because his very technical attacking midfielder style does not leave Roberto De Zerbi indifferent.
Questioned by La Provence, someone close to Bilal Nadir admits that the player went through hell before returning to the top. “The potential was there, but he was neglected, no one took care of him, he didn't know which direction to go. He wasn't playing at all, he was at the bottom of the hole. It's paradoxical, but as he had already played before getting injured, he undoubtedly mentalized the fact of having already done it and being able to do it again. believes this close friend of Bilal Nadir, who believes that the playing time that the Marseillais benefited from just before his injury allowed him to hold on during his absence with the idea of coming back stronger.
-Roberto De Zerbi adores Bilal Nadir
Now installed in the pro group at OM, Bilal Nadir is “appreciated by his teammates, desired by OM and empowered by De Zerbi”. His entry into play against Lens proved that the Italian coach was counting on him and that Nadir was gradually regaining his best level. The challenge in the coming months for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder will now be to secure a starting place. The competition is tough, but there is an opening. Because if OM is rich in defensive midfielders (Kondogbia, Koné, Rongier, Hojbjerg, Rabiot), Roberto De Zerbi has less choice at the number ten position since Carboni was injured until the end of the season while 'Harit blows hot and cold.
France
Soccer
