Mario Balotelli has said his best is yet to come despite already having made a sensational impact at Nice.
Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a more successful start in Ligue 1 than Balotelli, who hit six goals in his opening five games in France, one fewer than the Swede managed in Paris.
Italy international Balotelli drew a blank in his sixth appearance on Sunday as Nice lost 1-0 at Caen, their first defeat of the season.
But he came close to earning the Ligue 1 leaders a point when his second-half shot struck the foot of a post.
Balotelli, who made just eight starts on loan at AC Milan last season, told Telefoot: "I need time. I feel good, but I'm not at my best. I'm more like at 60-70 percent because I haven't played for a long time."
He added that he had been helped to settle in on the Cote d'Azur by the welcome he had received from Nice's devoted and sizeable following.
"I'm always happy when people love me. The supporters are the most passionate I have met," he said.