Rennes who’s who. (1)

By: Shazback | August 21st, 2007

So… Who are Rennes‘ players?

Rennes lost quite a few big names over the last two seasons, so people who saw Rennes during the 2005-06 UEFA Cup campaign wouldn’t recognise the squad any more. Källström, Frei, Monterrubio, Utaka, Gourcuff, and a few other players have left the grassy hills of Brittany for greener pastures (and bigger salaries).

Instead, Rennes has continued to find quality players on bargain transfers, and adds them to a great youth system that is recognised by the French Football Association (FFF) as being the best in the country.

Well, let’s start our review of Rennes’ squad with a selection of 3 players.

First up, “The rock of Gibraltar” : John Mensah.

John Mensah John has only become a household name for the Rennes faithful recently, since he joined the Stade in January 2006, on loan to solve an injury crisis. His performances were fantastic, and he kept his place in the starting 11 despite Abdeslam Ouaddou’s recovery, and Rennes made the move permanent.

To say that John’s performances were what pushed Rennes up to 4th place last season would belittle the rest of the team’s efforts, but it’s not far from being true. After being injured in December, he was at the top of his game from February on, and his partnership with Melchiot helped Rennes concede only 12 goals in 18 games.

A Ghana international, Mensah has proved his worth with both Rennes and Ghana, and is set to be one of Rennes’ best players this season, as he is paired with Hansson in defence.

Etienne Didot is the next player up.

Etienne Didot Didot started out at Rennes’ youth center, and has come through all the ranks. Under-16s, under-18s, Reserves, and now he’s captain of the first team.

His pro debut for Rennes came in January 2002, when the then 19 year-old midfielder was fielded against Le Havre. His good placement, active play and good passing ability allowed him to battle Gourcuff to play alongside Källström for a few years, but when both Källström and Gourcuff left Brittany, Didot stepped up to the plate and proved he was good enough to hold down Rennes’ main midfield position.

When Olivier Monterrubio swapped squads with Olivier Thomert in January 2007 to go to Lens, Didot became captain of Rennes, and was a major factor in Rennes’ good performances during the latter part of the year. At only 24, he’s one of Rennes’ best youth program players, and after extending his contract to 2010, he’ll be pulling Rennes the right way : up.

I’ll round up today’s look at the squad with newcomer Jérôme Leroy.

I’ll be the first to admit that one year ago, had I been told Jérôme Leroy would be playing in the UEFA Cup with Rennes, I’d have thought you were on drugs. But after one year with Sochaux, the boy from Beitar Jerusalem proved he had what it takes to succeed in Ligue 1, as he helped Sochaux to a very good 7th place, and lifted the French “FA” Cup.

Leroy is, in quite a few ways, unadapted to Ligue 1 football at first glance : small physique, questionable work ratio and at 33, he’s no solution for the future. But take a second look, and you’ll change your opinion. He’s got good pace, an uncanny skill to slide defences open with pin-point passes, and excellent ball control.

That’s all for this time… After all, it wouldn’t be fun if I did them all in one go.

Leave your thoughts about John Mensah, Etienne Didot and Jérôme Leroy by commenting this post.