While Jorge Sampaoli will have his first time on the Stade Rennais bench this Sunday in Lille (3 p.m.), the Argentine coach has already started to look at the winter transfer window.
Jorge Sampaoli wastes no time. Barely installed on the bench at Stade Rennais, where he will experience his baptism of fire this Sunday in Lille (3 p.m.), Sampaoli has already taken the time to look at the winter transfer window.
Towards an upheaval in the middle in January
If no avenue has really been launched in a concrete manner, Sampaoli already wants to strengthen itself next January. In full collaboration with Arnaud Pouille and Frédéric Massara, he outlined his priority plan: reinventing the midfield. According to our information, Stade Rennais will take action to downsize its current workforce in this key sector while attempting to incorporate recruits. Even if Sampaoli is still waiting to see things more clearly in competition, several new circles are already affected, in terms of departures and arrivals. In this register, an interest in Gerson seems real, but the Brazilian has taken on a new dimension in Seleçao and seems difficult to access in January. Furthermore, Le Progrès talks about a possible return of Warmed Omari to Stade Rennais, he who left for OL this summer. The 24-year-old defender is rarely used by Pierre Sage and would be popular with Sampaoli.
Two other positions to fill
Another position that makes Sampaoli think: that of goalkeeper. Steve Mandanda (39 years old) should start as a starter but under observation until January 2025. His performances will be dissected by the Argentinian coach's staff, who could look at another goalkeeper in the transfer window or give more responsibilities to replacement Gauthier Gallon ( 31 years old). In the departures department, Arnaud Kalimuendo (22 years old) should not be selected. Courted this summer, the former RC Lens striker maintains a certain value on the transfer market (estimated at €20 million) and could allow Stade Rennais to reinject new money into a more massive center forward in the next transfer window .
A leader always expected
More generally, Sampaoli is looking for executives in its workforce and has not yet found a real relay as it stands. The numerous absences guided by the international break, with several departures for national teams, delayed his inventory of the Rennes squad. Alidu Seidu, who is thriving at this gloomy start to the Stade Rennais season, could however have what it takes even if he did not play his second match with Ghana.
Bastien AUBERT
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