Football Season Guide

Although Rennes have recorded three top 10 finishes in succession in Ligue 1, their failure to finish higher than 8th is a source of disappointment for the Breton club who feel they should be challenging for Europe on a regular basis. Last term, there was great excitement about their prospects under Christian Gourcuff but their decision to sell wingers Kamil Grosicki and Paul-Georges Ntep during the January transfer window left them frustratingly toothless in the second half of the season. To address this problem, they have sold ineffective frontline striker Giovanni Sio and replaced him with young Spanish forward Brandon from Mallorca. However, it is on the wings where they have made their most eye-catching additions. Faitout Maoussa showed last term that he can be a very effective force indeed with Nancy, particularly when playing on the left, and he should be considered an exciting capture. Meanwhile, Rennes beat Barcelona to the signing of Metz winger Ismaila Sarr by promising him regular first-team football. With Yoann Gourcuff through the centre, there should be a good deal of firepower in this midfield. Benjamin Bourgaud will also add depth to the midfield after arriving from Lens In the defence, Rennes have signed one of the most exciting full-backs from the second tier last season in the form of Hamari Traore. One source of question regards goalkeeper Abdoulaye Diallo, who will be given the responsibility of taking the gloves after the departure of the reliable Benoit Costil. Along with Pedro Mendes and Sio, these are the only three regulars that Gourcuff’s side have lost, with veteran Sylvain Armand having retired. This is a squad that looks quite complete in terms of its composition and Gourcuff will be keen to mould it in his image of a bright side who are attractive to watch. He seems to have addressed the issues they had last season really quite effectively.