Tettey’s time to shine

«My biggest regret is the situation at midfield. If Yann M’Vila had spent more time training with the professional squad last season (Ed.: 2008-2009), we would probably have sought a profile different to Alexander Tettey’s”. Making his assessments to the 2009-2010 season, Pierre Dréossi did not mince his words when expressing his deception towards the Norwegian international. A casting error? After a nearly-blank season, Tettey has been embodying the revival of Stade Rennais FC since the winter break. The figures are eloquent: four goals and an assist in only three games. An input comparable to the influence he used to have at Rosenborg Ballklub in his Tippeligaen years. So how could one explain the transformation of a player that was widely considered a wrong pick until now? Until now as indeed, the Ghana-born’s emergence his about to silent all the criticism addressed to him since his arrival.

When he recruited him from Rosenborg a year and a half ago, Dréossi had multiplied his efforts during the negotiations, introducing Tettey as an ideal profile to fit in Frédéric Antonetti’s formation. First trouble however: arrived on the Vilaine banks with a quadriceps injury and an inadequate physical preparation, the Accra-born was unavailable for over a month before being offered his debut against Saint-Etienne (1-0). On that afternoon, the catastrophe was total and brought to an end after only forty-five minutes. Awkward technically, losing countless balls, he was replaced at half-time by Junichi Inamoto, who would energize Rennes’ midfield considerably in the same amount of time. In a team lacking balance and confidence, Tettey’s integration kept the fans and staff waiting. Only bright spot to his credit, a remarked performance against Paris Saint-Germain (1-0) a few days before the winter break. Showing at his ease with an ability to project himself forward very quickly, he proved decisive with a perfectly laid assist for Ismaël Bangoura. Perfectly transparent for the rest of the season, he then multiplied minor injuries which continuously prevented him to accumulate the matches. An annoying physical fragility, with which the staff seems able to cope now. A challenge similar to the one managed a few months earlier in order to bring his fellow countryman by birth, Asamoah Gyan.

Renewed Optimism

Often injured, sometimes criticised, Tettey has turned into one of Rennes’ providential men in just a couple of weeks. A rehabilitation he hopes to honour, without being caught up by his old daemons: “This is sheer bad luck. I can’t explain it. When I played in Rosenborg, I wasn’t often injured. Is it the training regime? My adaptation to living in France? I don’t know”, he analyses. With his uncertainties out of the way, his input is now evident in the Breton team. Bringing more dynamism in the attacking phases, bringing more pressure to the opposition’s ball carrier, he could be the midfield relay the club was looking for since Kim Källström left in June 2006. A role that was initially promised to Stéphane Dalmat, whose initial six months have failed to raise enthusiasm at the Route de Lorient.

Freed of any sort of pressure as he wasn’t really expected anymore, Tettey is now playing without inhibition. Left on the side-lines because of recurrent physical problem, with no official game to his credit, he was offered a start against Olympique Lyonnais (1-1) last October. Missing Fabien Lemoine, the Rennes midfield area found renewed vigour with the presence of the Norwegian international. However, pursued by tough luck, he was forced to abandon his return a week later, following yet another quadriceps injury. The impatience had become palpable amongst Rennes’ management and staff, disillusioned with Tettey’s situation.

Tettey, the unexpected discovery

This is what makes his renaissance so big, as he seems to come back from nowhere. Deficient in the attacking sector, Stade Rennes has sprung back to life since the beginning of 2011. In three games, Rennes has scored no less than thirteen goals, as many as in the… previous sixteen games combined. A true influence on Rennes’ game, Tettey creates the link between the Breton midfield and attack. Often involved at the beginning of chances, he also has the particularity to be present at their conclusion. With Yacine Brahimi, the Accra born affirms his role and has become one of Rennes’ hit men. Puzzling for their opponents, the duo give the impression they could seek and find each other with their eyes shut, turning into one of the most prolific partnerships in France since the return to competition: eight goals and three assists between the two of them. Playing on a higher position than he did last year, Tettey looks reborn in this system, showing more availability towards the finishing of Rennes’ movements. Rarely praising his player, Antonetti is now showing satisfied at the idea to rely on his midfielder on the long term: “I’ve always said it: he is a good player. He had to gain confidence and accumulate games, since he only showed it intermittently until now”. His performances were remarked all the way to Norway where he has been called in the national squad for the first time in over a year. A revival the player enjoys in a smile, with the ambition to “return to the top”. And finally put those long, painful months behind him…