How are the new recruits doing at the Stade Rennais ?

Beware, construction site! The Stade Rennais has only got one week left before the 2010-1011 championship starts. The Breton team enters a “new cycle”. Eleven new players are looking for their place in the “Rouge et Noir” squad. This summer, five young players were back from their loan in Ligue 2 last season (Brahimi, Souprayen, Oniangue, Camara, Dembélé). Six more were recruited (Carrasso, Apam, Mandjeck, Kana-Biyik, Dalmat, Montano). After six pre-season friendlies and as many weeks of training, Frédéric Antonetti had plenty of time to review his troops. A few weeks from the League restart, the Breton coach now knows who he can trust against Lille, next Saturday.

They are Ready

The club had to battle to recruit Stéphane Dalmat. Technically gifted and showing good inspiration for his first few games as a Rennes player, the new number 10 shows and shares serenity at midfield. “Very good players have got no problems to fit in a new team”, the Rennes coach smiles. Short of fitness though, the former Sochaux man might struggle to complete 90 minutes at the highest level.

Fitness issues, this is something Victor Hugo Montano doesn’t seem to know about. The Colombian harasses the adverse defences tirelessly. His other big quality: an outstanding ball protection. Despite two goals refused for litigious offside decisions, and as many penalties won, the striker still hasn’t managed to score in the run of play. Yacine Brahimi managed to find the goals however. The 20 years old midfielder is already in line for a starting spot in the first eleven. Frédéric Antonetti trusts him, he has even been given the duty to take the team’s free-kicks and corners. Targeted by some of Europe’s greatest clubs, the attacking midfielder impressed during the pre-season with his technical ability. Yacine Brahimi still needs to gain in lucidity, in order to experience a destiny like Yann M’Vila’s.

Searching for their best level

The second player coming back from Ligue 2, firmly waited by Frédéric Antonetti, is Samuel Souprayen. The rangy man from the Reunion is expected to be Carlos Bocanegra’s replacement at left back. Since the pre-season started, the young defender plays it like the American used to, limiting his attacking runs to focus on his defence work. “There’s a position to take there, I do my best to take it. My goal has always been to play in Ligue 1”, the young defender explains.

Throughout the friendlies, Georges Mandjeck, Cameroon International transferred from Stuttgart this summer, was always lined-up in the second team. This player, very similar to Stéphane Mbia, managed to « score points » however. Physically strong, the defensive midfielder learned to play more in the team’s direction.

Abdoul Camara has impressed the Breton staff, which refused a transfer offer from Brest for the player. Just back from a loan in Vannes, the young striker improved strongly last season. Powerful and lively, the player has a profile similar to Kembo’s, and he could be hoping to grab a few minutes as soon as the League starts.

They need to improve

Recruited from Le Havre, Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik doesn’t seem ready to take on a role as regular starter. Tested on a partnership with Kader Mangane instead of the injured Apam, Kana Biyik finished the pre-season as a substitute.

In contention with Nicolas Douchez in early July, Johan Carrasso is now only a “Number 1 bis”. The pre-season gave a clear verdict: Douchez remains the first choice. The formed Montpellier man will have to show more in order to take the edge on the international. Against Brest, his lack of authority in his area caused a goal against the “Rouge et Noir”.

Rennes doesn’t rely on them anymore

The Stade Rennais had nearly forgotten Bira Dembélé. Loaned to Boulogne last year, the defender came back to Rennes in all discretion. Tried in central defence, the young player did not convince Frédéric Antonetti. Against Brest, he multiplied the errors, on marking and with the ball.

Prince Oniangue wasn’t offered much playing time to defend his chances to feature in Rennes’ squad. Just as Dembélé, he wasn’t kept for the final pre-season camp in Normandy. Both players are expected to be leaving the Stade Rennais before the end of August.

Benjamin Keltz - Le Mensuel de Rennes
Photos : www.rennes.lemensuel.com