Jonathan Isambart, a one-of-a-kind player

If size determined the talent of a player, Jonathan Isambart would have forgotten about football a long time ago. He would also have long given up if had been hurt by the mocking grins of his opponents, while entering a pitch in a shirt way too big for his build. But as soon as the ball comes to his foot, the player suddenly gains in height, with his swaying technique, his liveliness and his unpredictable changes of direction which turn the cheeky grins of his opponents into confused grimaces. Every player who has played alongside Jonathan Isambart in the past knows he has this little something, this force that positions him as one of the club’s finest prospects, those anybody imagine would make their way to reach the promised land of professional football.

Montaigu, Ploufragan, Plougonvelin or Quevilly: so many renowned tournaments in which Yann M’Vila’s former neighbour (their family houses were only distant of a few hundred metres in Amiens) has expressed the signs of a great potential waiting to be exploited. Left foot or right foot, few people can pretend to have dexterity like his, accompanied by a disconcerting ease of movement. One could believe this talent was innate, before learning that he has actually been working on that aspect of his game since his youngest age, after he started to shoot on every garage door he could find in his way. “I wasn’t born ambidextrous, the Picard laughs. I worked a lot with my dad and my brothers. I’ve got this ability, which can bring additional value to the way my team plays. I don’t know how to explain it, in fact, but I’m not the type of person to ask myself questions or make a difference is the ball is on one or the other of my feet.”
A special ability that wasn’t lost for the eye of Marc Luciathe, one of Rennes’ many recruiters travelling around France who had notably scouted Vincent Pajot a few years ago. To find him was only the first step, bringing him to Rennes was another mission. Rennes started by facing strong competition. Jonathan Isambart was indeed expected to signed for two years at the Interregional Youth Pole of Liévin (A northern equivalent to the INF Clairefontaine), but Patrick Rampillon made his utmost to attract him, despite a strong interest from AJ Auxerre. “Indeed, there were a few complications. My arrival to Rennes wasn’t easy, but I really wanted to come here. I have to admit that I had a few hesitations with Auxerre, but when I went there I didn’t feel too comfortable, I didn’t have a good feeling.” Brittany it was, then, and a host family welcomed him before the Academy became his new home, not without difficulties. “I left my family very young (ed.:just before turning thirteen). This was really hard. I was missing my parents, my family and my friends. Several times, I wanted to go back home. »

The truth of a day isn’t always true the next morning. As gifted as he is, Jonathan Isambart sighs when looking at his two years as a professional trainee at the club, for only three games with the Reserves. “I didn’t expect to play so little. When I signed as a trainee in Rennes (In June 2010), I knew it would be difficult. This is why I had high hopes for the second year, and I hoped to get more playing time. I really thought I would manage to get in the team.” Except for a trip to AS Vitré (when the 1993 generation was called for the Gambardella Cup), he spent most of his season with the team’s Amateur squad, relegated this season to the Division supérieure régionale (DSR), the eight level of French football. “This is a difficult year in terms of football, and also in my head. I’m not that demoralised however, because I’ve got this objective to work always harder, he explains sincerely. It is hard to play in the DSR, since I have the ambition to play at a higher level. But I play the game, I don’t want to disappoint “coach Lambert” (Loic Lambert). And I am a football player after all, so I must play where I’m told to play. I try to have fun by making my team-mates play.”

Making team-mates play, a virtue he will probably never forget for as long as he will be near a football. However, the baby-faced youngster can (sometimes) put his interest above those of his team. By refusing a trip to Pontivy last October, after he had been left on the bench with the Reserves in Vannes (4-1), for example. His way to vent his frustration, without really measuring the consequences of his act. “I have to admit I was in a bit of a difficult time, which resulted in me refusing to play with the amateur team. Simply because I felt I had enough and I was quite low. The club then sanctioned me for a week, through M. Pierre Dréossi, and everything went back in track…”
Or nearly everything, since his situation hasn’t evolved since. “I don’t know the reasons. I keep on working and giving it my best at training. Just before the holiday break, the coach (Laurent Huard) congratulated me for my investment, told me that I was getting much better after the October episode. This gave me renewed motivation for the second half of the season, but I’m still not playing…” A situation reminiscent of the experience lived by Wesley Yamnaine: gone to Parma at the end of his trainee contract, the player had been left available for the amateur squad (following an agreement between the player and the club) for nearly a year.

A future in exile ?

exclusion does exist for the small players in one of the most played discipline in the world, football, even though the topic is widely avoided within the sport. And unfortunately, Jonathan Isambart couldn’t avoid it at the Stade Rennais, where his small stature (1.62m, 48kg) caused real circumspection. “ I have heard a lot about it since I arrived here. I believe I should really be left to play with my profile. I know, that despite my stature, I can bring something. Whatever happens, there will always be people telling me I lack height or muscle… I have got a profile different from most, that’s all, he tries to justify. I know the club hesitated to give me a professional trainee contract because of that physical aspect. At least, this is what I heard. Then I’ve also heard they would be patient with me… Now I’m reaching the end of my trainee contract. I would be sad to leave Rennes, since I really wanted to succeed with that club.”
It must also be said that the rare appearances of the former ASPTT Amiens kid with the Reserves were never really brilliant. But the player defends his cause. “It is true, that I struggled during my first year in the CFA. I wasn’t used to play at that level, and I truly felt the difference between this division and the U19. However, I think I had the qualities required to play in CFA2, a league more open and less intense.” Playing characteristics indeed more adapted to his ability.

The father of two twins aged seven and a half month (Ema and Noane), Jonathan Isambart doesn’t want to get too distracted at the moment, even though he knows that a few Spanish teams are looking at him with interest. “There are leads abroad, possibly in France too. But at the moment I don’t want to think about this. I’ve got to prepare the end of the season in the DSR or with the CFA2. I let my agent deal with the solicitations. I’m often told Spain would suit the way I play. I have to keep in mind, however, that nothing would be made easy if I go there. I reflect on all that without really thinking about it. My aim is only to find some playing time somewhere. As for fatherhood, it brought me maturity, responsibilities and a great desire to succeed for my family.”
A big and beautiful family in which another man, much better known in the Rennes landscape, has a great importance, Yann M’Vila. More than a friend to Jonathan Isambart, the French international is a confident, important in the balance of his life. In his youth, at Amiens SC, M’Vila had played with one of his brothers, Maxime. “Yann is like my big brother! We talk a lot and see each other often. He shares his experience with me, since he also knew some difficulties in the CFA a few years ago”. Before blossoming at an incredible speed. A progression Jonathan Isambart would also like to experience, and as soon as possible to beat the prejudices and the accepted beliefs. With the hope that this time, he will be given the time to grow.