2023-07-09 10:39:00
Between the first three recruits and extensions, Stade Rennes had a very positive week. A successful start to the transfer window, even if it has only just begun.
This time, no glare, no heavy atmosphere and a much more relaxed Florian Maurice. A little over a month following being greatly annoyed by the critics on the occasion of the results of the 2022-2023 season, the technical director of Stade Rennes returned to the press to present the first recruits, and therefore in somehow launch the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This Thursday, he was accompanied by Gauthier Gallon and Ludovic Blas, whose arrivals had been formalized the day before, and did not hide that a third recruit, in this case Enzo Le Fée was expected the next day. A number 2 goalkeeper approached as soon as Troyes came to Roazhon Park last May and two coveted and major players within their clubs last season. “The idea is to have at least players already present in strategic positions”, explained Maurice, aware of having experienced a more laborious start to the transfer window since his arrival in Rennes. Also aware that the Breton club benefits from a certain stability to get ahead of other competitors: “When you don’t have your coach, when you don’t have your sports director, it’s more difficult to to work. We are lucky to have this stability at Stade Rennes today, it’s something more than positive. »
Made in Ligue 1
The Rennes leader of course repeated his luck to be able to count on the financial support of the Pinault family, while the transfer of Ludovic Blas is estimated at 15 million euros and that of Enzo Le Fée at just over 20 million. euros, bonus included. Two players courted one year from the end of their contract, which prompted the SRFC to strike hard and quickly so as not to be outstripped or let negotiations drag on. Three French recruits from Ligue 1, too, a strategy assumed and developed by Florian Maurice. “You have known me for three years now, I often draw the importance of the French player. Not only for integration, but also for the complexity of this championship, which is very difficult, he explains. Going for the best in the clubs, I’m not saying that it will work 100%, there are always hazards. But we allow ourselves a little more luck and success. Knowledge of the championship, knowledge of Europe for Ludo. He has collective ambitions with Rennes, he also has individual ambitions. All this will allow the club to continue to move forward. Players from the French championship have been one of my strategies for many years, I believe that all foreign clubs come looking for French players, so why stop doing it? »
Which might almost recall the transfers made by OL in the 2000s, at a time when the sums were not as colossal and when the neighboring championships used a little less in Ligue 1. Stade Rennes is betting on sure values: Gallon has 61 appearances in the top flight with Troyes and sticks to the profile of an experienced understudy; Ludovic Blas is already at 235 and remains on two very prolific seasons at FC Nantes (27 goals, 13 assists in all competitions); Enzo Le Fée weighs more than 100 games in the championship and comes out of his best season with FC Lorient. Their challenge will be to integrate into a more protagonist team and a normally better-oiled collective, facing opponents who will sometimes play lower.
And now, departures?
In addition to these first arrivals, the Rouge et Noir have “secured” young players from the training center. Lorenz Assignon got the ball rolling by extending until 2027, followed closely by Alan Do Marcolino (2026) and Jeanuël Belocian (2025) who extended his lease for a short additional year following difficult negotiations. It would be tempting to ignite and plan on the comet following such a week, but the transfer window has only just begun and the Rennes workforce still has time to move. “Obviously there will have to be departures. I talk to some agents to see the possibilities. It’s open, says Florian Maurice. The idea is to have a very competitive team next season to have very ambitious goals in the league and in the European Cup. It’s almost a bit early to see what will come of the transfer window. It is also important for the coach to have a full squad as soon as possible. Afterwards, we know very well that the transfer window is long and goes until September 1, so things are likely to happen. Jérémy Doku and Lovro Majer might leave, provided they receive good offers, and you should never rule anything out in a transfer window. But as of July 9, the new season is already shaping up to be exciting. It’s a first victory, while waiting for the others.
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