Stade Rennais FC
Hello again, this is my third guide and will be an update of last season's Stade Rennais guide.. It's a good challenge to bring this side to the top of Europe because they have a decent youth side and a fantastic youth set-up as well. It is one of my local teams and having been to the
Stade de la Route de Lorient a few times, I find the atmosphere brilliant and so I reckon you should all try them out!
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i) WHY PLAY AS STADE RENNAIS?
They are an interesting team to play as in the French division, which itself is enjoyable to play - I've played it once on FM as Bordeaux and thoroughly enjoyed it. You get a decent amount of money, but nowhere near enough to make this an easy challenge. Your youth set-up is one of the best around (as I will explain shortly) and I find it good to try and utilise this and try to make it the best
French team in the country.
[[video=youtube;6_C5IoIKhgQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_C5IoIKhgQ[/video]
Yann M'Vila, one of France's biggest prospects.
1) THE CLUB ITSELF
1a)
Recent History
Rennes have been in the top flight since 1994, and were bought in 1998 by retail magnate Francois Pinault. He invested heavily in the club, building a state-of-the-art youth centre and also helping to modernize the impressive
'Stade de la Route de Lorient'. It has never finished higher than 4th in it's history which is what would make it a good challenge as well. They are currently poised to break this record anyway as they undertake one of their best seasons ever - follow them here:
English version - Stade Rennais Online
1b)
Financial Position
Rennes have a 'secure' financial position - there is no debt at the club and it has a decent value at just under 40m. You will be guaranteed a kitty of at least 7m, more than enough to start you off and of course that will only expand as you take the team further. There are no problems in this sector.
1c)
Youth Set-Up
Stade Rennais boasts one of the finest youth systems in France. Since it's revamp in 2000, it has produced the likes of Yann M'Vila, Yacine Brahimi and Lyon's Jimmy Briand. It is an exciting aspect of the club, and there are a number of youth prospects:
Abdoulaye Diallo - Goalkeeper
Will easily be the number 1 in a few years, and is getting close to being a good backup already.
Yann M'Vila - Defensive Midfielder
20 years old and already in the national side - he is one of the hottest prospects in France at the moment.
Kevin Theophile-Catherine - Full Back (Left/Right)
Great prospect and will easily be at the level of Rod Fanni in a few years time.
There are many more in the Under-19s as well for you to look through. The point is that it is producing some fine talent of it's own, and the regens in the future will also likely be very good!
2) THE SQUAD
2a)
The Players
Stade Rennais has a squad that is based around pace on the wings, and creativity from deep. I would recommend playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with two defensive midfielders. The squad needs bolstering to push for Europe, but with no funds coming in at the beginning of the game, you will have to earn the money to bring in top new players.
Players will be organised with respect to the formation that I will recommend you. The blue stars indicate their current rating - the black indicates future rating.
Goalkeepers
1. Benoit Costil(
****)
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16. Abdoulaye Diallo (
****)
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40. Cheick N'Diaye (
**)
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This is a decent position. Benoit Costil is potentially a very decent goalkeeper, though Diallo also has great potential. Play them off each other for the first few seasons until you get a number one that you think you can rely on. N'Diaye is a third choice keeper and nothing else. Carrasso will return from loan at the end of next season and should probably be offloaded.
NO REPLACEMENTS NEEDED
Left-Back
2. Kevin Theophile-Catherine (
****)
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2. Chris Mavinga (
****)
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29. Romain Danze (
***)
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This position has a lot of potential. Theophile-Catherine is a promising full-back in the Philipp Lahm mould - he is right footed but is most comfortable at left back and will provide an attacking threat. Chris Mavinga is a real prospect and will provide competition and Romain Danze can play left back if cover is required.
Right-Back
29. Romain Danze (
***)
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22. Yasinne Jebbour(
****)
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24. Dimitri Foulquier (
****)
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Having lost Rod Fanni to Marseille a year or so ago, Rennais look a bit short on this side. Danze is decent at this level though don't expect any fireworks and Jebbour, although very promising is raw. Foulquier has brilliant ratings for his age and should be brought up from the U-19s. Will become a top, top full-back.
Centre-Back
5. Kader Mangane (
****)
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15.Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik (
****)
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4. Onyekachi Apam (
****)
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25.John Boye (
***)
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Decent cover in this position. Kader Mangane is strong enough to play at a higher level so keeping him is a major objective. Kana-Biyik will get very good if you play him enough and Boye and Apam will provide decent cover. Look to strengthen this area with young talent.
Defensive Midfield
6. Alexander Tettey (
****)
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17. Yann M'Vila (
*****)
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26. Vincent Pajot (
****)
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28. Toungo Doumbia (
****)
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23. Kamal Issah (
***)
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Strongest position arguably. Yann M'Vila is no longer a hidden gem, he is a well known name throughout world football and is one of the first names on the teamsheet of the French National team - no mean feat considering the opposition. Plenty of strength in depth and potential with the likes of Issah and Pajot.
Central Midfield
8. Julien Feret (
****)
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10. Stephane Delmat (
***)
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Decent strength in this position, though if you play an advanced playmaker rather than a central midfielder, then I would suggest bringing up back-up for Feret. He is decent but can get stale and inconsistent. Delmat is past his best but will still do a job.
Left Wing
7. Jonathon Pitroipa(
****)
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27. Yacine Brahimi(
****)
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Decent back up here as your right wingers can play on this wing also. Pitroipa is rapid beyond belief though his final ball can be frustrating. Brahimi is technically superior but very inconsistent and still very raw. Should progress to be a good player in this position but he can also play more centrally.
Right-Wing
11. Jires Kembo-Ekoko (
****)
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12. Razak Boukari (
****)
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Kembo-Ekoko is your best player in this position. Highly reliable and with a decent final ball he should provide plenty of assists for your forwards and Boukari provides good back-up. Strengthen in the future but should be enough here to go on with.
Striker
21. Victor Hugo Montano (
****)
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19. Yousuff Hadji (
***)
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9. Mevlut Erding (****)
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Real strength in this position. I love Montano on this game, he is the perfect poacher as he constantly gets in good positions and can score all sorts of goals. Hadji is a great target man but is getting on and seems to be an anomoly to the normal Rennes transfer system. Erding is more adjile than Hadji and is a great back-up to Montano.
2b)
Mentality
This is a young side, so they are very driven and that is useful when you are looking to overthrow the old Lyon/Marseille regime in French football. On information, it states that the squad is 'Ambitious'.
2c)
Tactics
I recommend this formation:
View attachment 132446
I play counter-attacking football because it is very good against almost all teams in the French league. Kembo-Ekoko and Marveaux are pacy, and will deliver good, flat crosses to Montano who works well as a poacher. They will also bag goals, and with Jerome Leroy you have a brilliant advanced playmaker to supply them on the counter..
So that is my guide and introduction to this interesting team - I shall post a detailed analysis of the first month as soon as it is completed.