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Playing in France is evoking ‘happy memories’ for Aaron Ramsey as he relives Wales’ incredible Euro 2016 run… now the Nice star is looking to rebuild his club career – and he’s talked to Arsene Wenger about a move to the Channel
- Aaron Ramsey moved to Nice in the summer after a difficult few years after Arsenal
- The midfielder said he loves being back at the sights of the 2016 Euros run
- Revealed talking to Arsene Wenger about moving to France over the summer
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Aaron Ramsey is enjoying reliving Wales’ glorious run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals as he rebuilds his career on the French Riviera with Nice.
The 31-year-old moved to France this summer after a turbulent couple of years, in which he was injured at Juventus and then missed a decisive penalty in the Europa League final while being loaned out to Rangers last year.
Beautiful game at the Allianz Riviera stadium, where England suffered a humiliating defeat to Iceland in 2016.
Aaron Ramsey has said playing in France brings back happy memories of the summer of 2016
But Ramsey has happier memories of that summer and the midfielder is enjoying the chance to return to old haunts ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
“I scored on my debut in Toulouse where we had such a special night with Wales beating Russia and we also played in Lille and had a good night there,” he said.
“Playing in those stadiums has really brought back great memories.”
Ramsey enjoyed some of the best weeks of his career with Wales that summer and is delighted to be back on the sights of those triumphs
During his first few months in Ligue 1, the midfielder added: ‘I’m enjoying playing again, getting some minutes under my belt…there are worse places to come and play football.’
Ramsey has spoken to former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger about his new adventure.
“He thought it was a good move,” said the Welshman, who spent ten years under Wenger in north London. “It was good to see him and talk to him again. We had 10 years together.
“It was fun reminiscing about the past, going through some old stories, but also talking about what’s to come, the project here, the World Cup and what he plans to do with FIFA (Wenger works as Chief of Global Football Development).
“Of course he was aware of the project here, he was excited about it. I think he keeps an eye on most of the players who have played under him at Arsenal. He’s definitely keeping an eye on me and how we’re doing here.’
The midfielder led Wales to the semi-finals where they eventually lost to winner Portugal
Ramsey and Wales are hoping for more feats in their first World Cup final since 1958. The midfielder insists their only goal at the moment is to ‘win our first game’ against the US before taking on Iran and England. “It’s all about momentum in these tournaments,” he said. “Hopefully we can get off to a good start and that can give us a really nice place to continue and get out of the group and make progress.”
Ramsey signed a three-year contract with Nice. They are owned by English billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was recently linked with buying a stake in Manchester United. Their side includes Kasper Schmeichel, Ross Barkley and Nicolas Pepe, but Nice is 13th ahead of Nantes on Sunday.