Chris Mavinga, 20 years old, arrives from Liverpool to take over at the left back position for Stade Rennais. The U19 European Champion joins Rennes in order to prove he hasn’t “burnt his wings” by moving abroad.
Stade Rennes have recruited a fourth player since the end of May. After Benoît Costil, Julien Féret and Jonathan Pitroipa, Chris Mavinga is joining Frédéric Antonetti’s squad. According to the club’s general manager, Pierre Dréossi, Stade Rennais will now recruit a centre forward if an opportunity arises. In the same time, Johann Carrasso is about to move to Monaco on a season-long loan.
Although he is only 20 years old, Chris Mavinga is already well travelled since his days at the PSG Academy. In 2009, he joined Liverpool FC, where he played with the reserve. Loaned to Genk last season, he became champion of Belgium. But he was also caught in a “media storm”, in his own terms, after a kick he sent “involuntarily”, as he then said, in the face of Standard de Liège player Mehdi Carcela, last May. “I gain maturity thanks to these difficult moments, the new Rennes number 3 explained during his official presentation, this Tuesday. You can see the true personality of people when things are not going well.”
Rather than staying in Merseyside, the left back chose a move to Brittany. “I don’t regret signing for Liverpool. I gained in experience. I want to show I haven’t burnt my wings by moving abroad”. It is a promising youngster with an appetite for revenge who joins the “Rouge et Noir” squad. « My professional career will really start here », he promises after a short delay of reflexion.
Chris Mavinga wants to make his mark in Ligue 1. “I will fight to do something nice in Rennes (…). And the project I’ve been presented with here was the most interesting. It will be easier for me to blend into a young and ambitious squad.”
A European Champion with France U19 in 2010, he signed for Rennes until 2015 with one objective: to settle down. “I am looking for stability since this is already my third club. To play abroad has been a tiring experience. To remain here for four years will allow me to settle down for good.”
Recruited to play at left back, the defender who is also able to play at centre defines himself as "a rather fast player, with a decent left foot and a good heading ability”. “I like to run up the wing in order to use my speed, which is my best quality”, he adds, while admitting he “will need to improve tactically”.
About to leave for the U20 World Cup in Colombia, Chris Mavinga will only be able to play for Rennes after Les Bleus end their run in the competition, the latest option being August 20th. He will therefore miss the first few games of the season. “I’m not coming to immediately become a key starter, he warns. I know I am awaited, but I need time to impose myself.”
Nicolas Auffray - Le Mensuel de Rennes
- Photo : www.rennes.lemensuel.com
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