Nice midfielder Jean Seri has praised coach Claude Puel for both his coaching and personal strengths as leader of the Ligue 1 club.

Seri has enjoyed an impressive start to life in the French top flight and has become a prominent fixture in Puel's team in the early stages of the new campaign.

"I consider him like a father," said Seri, according to the official Ligue 1 website.

"He is somebody who can step out of his coaching shoes and talk to you in a personal way and that is hugely important for me.

"Since a very young age I knew what I wanted. I want to be a top player. I want people here in Nice to say - yes Michael Seri left his mark."

Nice currently hold eighth spot in the standings after eight games played.