NICE, France  — Patrick Vieira’s coaching career at Nice got off to a rocky start after strikers Mario Balotelli and Alassane Plea failed to show up for the first day of pre-season training Monday.

Balotelli top-scored last season with 18 goals, while Plea netted 16. Both have been linked with moves this summer, with Premier League West Ham reportedly keen on Plea and Balotelli a target for French rival Marseille.

Vieira, who replaced Lucien Favre, took his first training session in the morning and said later he had no idea where the two players were.

Continue reading NICE, France  | Vieira’s Nice era starts with Balotelli, Plea no-shows at STL.News.