This Friday, 9 p.m.
In Rennes, the transition from 2024 to 2025 was undoubtedly seen as a relief. After a very complicated second part of the year, the Bretons hope to get their heads above water in the coming months. And if the trip to Nice this Friday (9 p.m.) could be a good opportunity to start the year, it is especially the winter transfer window which will be closely scrutinized in Ille-et-Vilaine.
After two precious but unconvincing victories to end 2024, against Angers (2-0) then Bordeaux (4-1) in the Coupe de France, the results of the first part of the season are largely negative. Only 12esseven lengths from the European places, the Bretons therefore felt the need to put their work back into practice once again during the winter transfer market.
Arrival from 1is transfer window day
The first effects were felt from 1is January with the arrival of central midfielder Seko Fofana for some 20 million euros. He could soon be followed by goalkeeper Brice Samba for 15 million more. With the financial support of its extremely wealthy owners, the Pinault family, Rennes should not stop there.
Generally considered an “adjustment transfer window”, the winter transfer window should rather be a new transfer window of total realignment for the Rouge et Noir who lost track more than a year ago now. Since the start of last season, they have changed coaches twice, sporting directors, presidents, recruited ten players this summer, let almost as many go, without ever managing to slow their decline.
If the need for fresh blood certainly responds to the “diagnosis” made by coach Jorge Sampaoli, who arrived in mid-November, on the shortcomings of his squad, the profile of the two priority targeted players seems to be a new strategic about-face.
Massara already in retreat
Arriving this summer as sporting director, Frederic Massara, who had worked at AC Milan and Roma, was to give a more international dimension and move Rennes recruitment upmarket. But, this winter, Rennes is mainly targeting French-speaking players, seasoned in Ligue 1. A change of direction which demonstrates that the Breton club still believes in European qualification and is banking on recruits capable of making an immediate impact to achieve its goals. .
But it also sounds like a disavowal for the Franco-Italian leader. The fact that Fofana and Samba crossed paths with Arnaud Pouille, the executive president of Stade Rennais, in Lens, when he was its general manager, suggests that Massara is not in charge, at least for this winter. Not necessarily a surprise, a few months after a failed summer transfer window.
Among the players who arrived in Brittany in recent months, midfielder Naouirou Ahamada has not played a single minute and could be sent back to Crystal Palace, who had loaned him, while the Finn Glen Kamara has still not adapted well .
Quickly expected results
In attack, Portuguese left winger Jota never earned his place, even as a luxury substitute, nor did his alter ego on the right, the Colombian Carlos Andres Gomez, or the Dane Henrik Meister at the forefront. In defense, the Norwegian Leo Ostigard and the Dutchman Hans Hateboer had significant playing time but without justifying their flattering reputation arriving from Naples and Atalanta Bergamo respectively.
As for the Danish attacking midfielder Albert Gronbaek, he has shown technical quality but still seems a little light to establish himself as an indisputable starter, like the young Welshman Jordan James in the middle.
If Rennes continues to prospect to strengthen itself further – the name of Joris Chotard, midfielder from Montpellier has been mentioned -, time is running out with five crucial meetings in January: in addition to this trip to Nice, the Rennes will travel to Monaco, host Marseille and Brest in Ligue 1 and will travel to Troyes (Ligue 2) in the Coupe de France.
Because if a successful winter transfer window seems to be a condition for raising their heads, the absence of notable progress on the pitch and in terms of results in the coming weeks could condemn the Rennais to concentrate, at best, on the places of honor in the championship.
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