The professional squad (1/2) : goalkeepers and defenders
With no less than 14 departures and 7 arrivals, the Rennes summer was a rather eventful one. Waiting for a possible final attacking recruit, the Stade Rennais FC squad is now composed of 27 professional players. Stade Rennais Online gives you a detailed view of the available player. In this first part: Goalkeepers and Defenders.
Goalkeeper
Hierarchy : 1 Douchez - 2 Carrasso - 3 Diallo
After a disappointing first season, Nicolas Douchez has no more right to fail, since the club recruited a real competition in Johan Carasso, the France U21 goalkeeper from Montpellier. He could well be playing in the national cups as soon as this season (on top of the U21 national games) and will be ready to exploit any downtime by Douchez. Reaching the end of his contract, Douchez will probably be free next summer and Carasso could take over in the Rennes goals. As for Abdoulaye Diallo, he should logically become the 2nd choice at the end of a complete season with the Reserve.
Right Back
Hierarchy: 1 Danzé - 2 Théophile-Catherine - 3 Jebbour (Other possible solutions: Apam - Caro - Fanni - Kana-Biyik - Mandjeck)
Romain Danzé is finally beginning a season as a first XI member, and this happened at a right back position. His first-choice substitute, Kevin Théophile-Catherine is playing at left-back since the League restarted. However, Rod Fanni finally remained at the club despite the club’s agreement to let him go in the event of good offer and Onyekachi Apam’s recruitment. The hierarchy at right back could therefore be completely changed, unless Fanni remains in central defence. For his second professional year, the versatile Yassine Jebbour is the other choice at this position.
Left Back
Hierarchy: 1 Théophile-Catherine - 2 Souprayen - 3 Kana-Biyik - 4 Jebbour (Other possible solutions: Danzé - Dembélé)
After a convincing loan in Dijon and a very satisfying pre-season, Samuel Souprayen had managed to secure himself a first XI slot. Injured ten days before the League started however, he was replaced by Théophile-Catherine who did a perfect job at the position. Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik is also ready to jump, with some experience in this position at Le Havre, in Ligue 2. However, Kana Biyik played at centre-back during the whole pre-season, and this is certainly the position he will be expected to play at.
Centre Defence
Hierarchy : 1 Mangane - 2 Fanni - 3 Apam - 4 Kana-Biyik - 5 Boye - 6 Dembélé (Other possible solutions : Souprayen - Théophile-Catherine).
Kader Mangane is the team’s undisputed captain. Beside him, the competition will be tough between Fanni, convincing at every game, and Apam who was recruited to be the first partner to the Senegalese defender. However, Apam is one of this summer’s 10 most expensive signings in Ligue 1, and it is unlikely he could be left on the bench for most of the season. Recruited in view of the future, Kana Biyik will have to be patient this season. When Apam returns, Fanni could go back to the right back position, the Nigerian could join Mangane at centre-back and the last defence position would be disputed between Danzé, Théophile-Catherine, Souprayen and Kana-Biyik. After his first selection with Ghana, John Boye could be hoping for some playing time this season. As for Bira Dembélé, he is most unlikely to feature in the Rennes tactics this season.
Summary of transfers in the Stade Rennais’ professional squad for the 2010/2011 season.
PLAYERS IN
7 arrivals, Total Spending : 16,7 M€
Carrasso (Montpellier / 1 M€), Apam (Nice / 4 M€), Kana-Biyik (Le Havre / 2,5 M€), Dalmat (Sochaux / 1,5 M€), Mandjeck (Stuttgart / 1,2 M€), Issah Sissoko (FC Liberty, end of contract), Montaño (Montpellier / 6,5 M€)
Return from loan (4)
Souprayen (Dijon), Dembélé (Boulogne), Brahimi (Clermont), Camara (Vannes)
First Professional contract (4)
Diallo, Jebbour, Caro, Pajot
PLAYERS OUT
14 departures, Total income : 30,17 M€
Luzi (end of contract), Petit (end of contract), Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne / 0,17 M€), Le Marchand (Le Havre, free.), Echiejile (end of contract), Hansson (Monaco, end of contract), Oniangue (Tours, free), Lasimant (Grenoble, end of contract), Briand (Lyon / 6 M€), Bangoura (Al-Nasr / 8 M€), Gyan (Sunderland / 16 M€), Esteban (Servette, free), Sow (Lille, end of contract), Pagis (retirement)
Loans (3)
N’Diaye (Paris FC), Pajot (Boulogne), Badiane (Dijon)
Balance of Transfers : + 13,47 M€
Professional Squad : 27 players
Goalkeepers (3) : Carrasso, Diallo, Douchez
Defenders (10) : Apam, Boye, Danze, Dembele, Fanni, Jebbour, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Souprayen, Theophile-Catherine
Midfielders (9) : Caro, Dalmat, Doumbia, Issah Sissoko, Lemoine, Leroy, Mandjeck, Mvila, Tettey
Strikers (5) : Brahimi, Camara, Kembo, Marveaux, Montaño