the Gym relies on the Laborde-Delort duo
“They know how to score”: Caio Henrique, defender of Monaco who faces Nice on Sunday evening, knows that the duo Gaëtan Laborde-Andy Delort reconstituted by his opponent, has long shone in Montpellier and will be essential for the Rouge et Noir this season.
The Monegasques followed the last evening of the transfer window carefully on Thursday. If the Marseillais Bamba Dieng has not landed with their opponents in Nice, the club piloted by Ineos has achieved a nice coup: reforming the Laborde-Delort duo, so consistent from 2018 to 2021 in Montpellier.
“They were a very good attacking duo in Montpellier, recalls Caio Henrique. You have to be careful: they know how to find each other and know each other particularly well. They have a lot of experience and know how to score. »
In a rather young Nice team, Delort, 30, and Laborde, 28, are destined to become leaders. Especially since they will surf on the excitement of their reunion, one after leaving Montpellier. Still at the start of last season, before their respective departures to Rennes and Nice, the two men scored five goals in L1 (Laborde three, Delort two) in Hérault.
“The same values”
“I am very happy to find Andy, says Laborde. Everyone knows the ties we have on and off the pitch. During the first rumors of a possible arrival, Delort “sent me a few messages harassing me a bit, asking me if it was true, and telling me a lot of good things about the team, the environment here: it was an important element for me, ”smiles the ex-Rennes.
In the associates again, Nice is playing it safe. The figures speak for themselves: together, they compiled 75 goals and 38 assists in L1 (35 goals, 18 assists for Laborde, 40 goals, 20 assists for Delort). With 48% of the goals scored by Montpellier, they even constituted the most effective doublet of the elite over the period 2018-2021. Better than Mbappé-Neymar (42% of Paris SG’s total goals over the period, but 115 goals, however).
“It happens as well between us because we are friends off the field and we convey the same values, explains Laborde. We know that we can count on each other (…). This maximizes the chances of it working. »
With them, the management of Nice is also planning for the longer term. Laborde signed four years. Nice has been following him for a long time. “It’s important to know you’re wanted,” he says. It was my destiny to be here. “As for Delort, he is under contract until 2024. And unlike Gouiri and Dolberg, there was never any question of his departure. The doublet will therefore be the spearhead to allow the club to reach the expected level.
“Keep my progress”
Their sporting agreement is also a guarantee of security for Lucien Favre. The coach praises Delort’s burst of energy, but also recognizes his loneliness in a 4-3-3. Now he can associate him with a “ready” man, author of two goals (including one against Monaco) in four days with Rennes, and capable of playing everywhere. “I’m here to be in the team quickly,” he warns.
“Their association will depend on the system. It’s up to me to find the right complementarity”, considers Favre who however slips about his “very enthusiastic” recruit and whose “come was necessary”: “I found his calls, his movements and his game intelligence very interesting ” .
Last season, the two attackers separately continued to be decisive. During his Rennes period, Laborde accumulated 19 goals and 8 assists in 47 matches, in all competitions. If he has “never set a personal goal” because “it pollutes more than anything else”, he intends to “keep (his) progress in terms of “stats” and game” with Nice.
“Very ambitious club” but failed at the start of the season, the Gym (15e, 5 points) is therefore counting on this recomposed duo to rectify the situation. And it starts on Sunday against Monaco (16e5 points), in the derby of struggling clubs.