His arrival at OM caused a stir and indirectly the departure of André Villas-Boas from OM.
After 8 and a half years spent abroad (Manchester City, Genoa, Celtic Glasgow), Olivier Ntcham put his bags down in Marseille in the last hours of the winter transfer window.
This Sunday, even if the former Celtic Glasgow midfielder has not played since December 23, he is expected to make his first appearance against PSG, the club from his home region.
The 24-year-old midfielder was born in Longjumeau (Essonne) and started playing football at 8 in Chennevières (Val-de-Marne).
The following year, he found himself at the neighboring club of US Ormesson.
Olivier Ntcham (the 2nd at the bottom from the right behind the haircut with green hair) is 10 years old and has just participated with his club from Ormesson in the international tournament in Viesly (North) ./ DR
“I had outclassed Olivier as a youngest with teammates older than 2 years because he was very strong and he already had an adult strike, remembers Christophe Caillet.
I positioned him center-forward, because he had an above average physique and technique.
He was also endowed with an excellent head game and a game intelligence. His profile reminded me of Didier Drogba.
"
After stacking the goals, Olivier left to live in Canada for two years with his family, because his mother had found work in Montreal.
If he plays mainly futsal, he returns to France for a week to participate in the Danone Cup with his Canadian club invited for the competition at the Parc des Princes.
On his return in 2008, he signed to the VGA Saint-Maur and played in U15 with players who were 2 years older than him.
Olivier Ntcham (5th at the top from the right) is 13 years old and evolves with the U15s of the VGA Saint-Maur./DR
“Olivier did not have a specific position even if he played more in a defensive environment or playmaker. The coach positioned him especially where he needed it most,” says Yoann Doguet, his former teammate.
He was very discreet in the locker room.
On the field, we saw that he had great physical qualities, a very good technique, but he also missed a lot of things.
“That year, he tested in Tours and Lens, but failed because of his insufficient report card.
He signs at 16 at Manchester City for 1 million euros
In 2009-2010, he exploded at Paris FC.
"He was certainly shy but, in the field, he was a leader," explains Reda Bekhti, his educator at the PFC, who is now in charge of his individualized monitoring and coaching.
He gave off an extraordinary power in his ability to move forward, his ball strike.
He was above average at ease.
With the PFC, he had won and scored in the return match against the PSG U14s where Coman and Moussa Dembelé were playing.
Olivier Ntcham (standing, 3rd from the left) with the U14s of Paris FC, alongside Reda Bekhti his educator at the time, who is now in charge of his monitoring and individualized coaching. / DR
"Olivier was one of the best 96 in the Paris region, so he was followed by PSG but they did not offer him a proposal," recalls Reda Bekhti.
Ntcham left for Le Havre and was selected for the France U16 team.
“A taciturn kid, but very endearing and correct, remembers Patrick Gonfalone his coach in the France team from U16 to U19.
On the ground, he was an alien.
He had flown over the international tournament of Val-de-Marne thanks to its size, its volume of play in recovery and distribution.
He also marked: it's simple, he did everything!
Olivier was one step ahead of the others, he was tactically, technically and physically complete.
He should logically become a football star.
"
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In 2012, at 16, he signed to Manchester City for 1 million euros.
“It got worse when he left for England,” Gonfalone continues.
It was too early, he should have finished his training in France.
Olivier then became much slower and lost his tone.
As he had a large shell, he would have needed dynamic muscle building.
He still managed to make a career in football, but not as good as it could have been.
"
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Reda Bekhti, who came several times a month to Glasgow for individualized sessions, believes in his success at OM: “It is a logical step in his career, he gained experience by playing in England, Italy and Scotland.
Every time he played for Celtic against a French club in the European Cup, PSG, Rennes or Lille, he has been good.
He has a box to box profile that OM didn't really have.
Olivier has ignored the context of his arrival, he is focused on the game, his performances.
He has the shoulders, he is square in his head and his private life.
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