Football Season Guide

Rennes endured a nightmare campaign last time out that saw them flirt with relegation following a shambolic summer transfer window and poor decisions away from the field. Unsurprisingly, they have changed their sporting director, and with Habib Beye having been backed at head coach, there is coherence around the club once again. Many of the poor signings from last season have had to be pushed out of the club, which has been no easy task. Some will still weigh the club down in terms of wages others have simply had to be sold for less than they were signed. The only important players who have gone are wing-backs Adrien Truffert and Lorenz Assignon, both of whom will be missed. Rennes had been known for their smart business in the transfer market prior to last year and there are signs they are getting back to that. Quentin Merlin and Valentin Rongier are Ligue 1-proven players who should make a positive impact from Marseille and arrive at a decent price. In Lilian Brassier, they have added a good Ligue 1-standard defender. Now it is about becoming more coherent on the field with a decent group of players. Arnaud Kalimuendo is in line to spearhead the attack, with Rennes fending off transfer interest in him, while Mohamed Kader Meite showed enormous promise last season aged just 17. With Mousa Al-Tamari and Ludovic Blas, there should be no shortage of creativity. More is needed from the midfield, where Seko Fofana was signed in January as an ace but struggled to show the energy he once had that made him a star with Lens. There should be enough in the defence to build a strong foundation in the squad, with Przemyslaw Frankowski a strong pickup from Galatasaray on loan. He has previously starred with Lens in Ligue 1. Rennes look solid throughout, and bettering last season’s shambles should be imminently possible.