M’Vila, the new flag-bearer
Convincing with Les Bleus, the only French international currently playing in the Ligue 1 leaders‘ squad, Yann M’Vila imposed himself in a few months as one of French football’s most promising talents. Praised by the media and recognised by the football lovers, the midfielder has now got to confirm his new status, and first of all help his training club to acquire a new dimension, of which he would be one of the symbols.
In last Friday’s edition, the magazine France Football dedicated several pages to the Stade Rennais and the “Rouge et Noir”’s first place in the Ligue 1 standing. On cover, who could impersonate the current Breton success but Yann M’Vila? The title, “What if it lasted?”, seems to question the future of Rennes’ team as much as its midfielder’s.
A sweet revenge for M’Vila, whose presence in Domenech’s list of thirty players was considered abnormal by the same magazine in May. The definite comment then was that the young Rennes player lacked the required quality to wear the blue shirt.
Today, the words are different. Through Laurent Blanc’s confidence, through his good performances since he started with France, the national press’ opinion about the young midfielder has changed considerably.
Scepticism, curiosity, popularity
Sceptical at first, the press was observing the young player’s performance almost with worry. «M’Vila, tidy or transparent ?», asked L’Équipe a few days after France-Belarus, calling his performance « contrasted ».
After this observation round, and as if the Stade Rennais’ good League form was validating Blanc’s choices in fine , came the time for curiosity. How could this twenty years old youngster, thirty games in Ligue 1, reach such heights in such a short time? A portrait detailing his youth and training (France Football), a cross-interview with his friend Mamadou Sakho (Le Parisien), the solicited praise of Frédéric Antonetti and Patrick Rampillon (RMC), difficult for the football aficionado to ignore the phenomenon’s emergence.
In Rennes, the revelation of last season took more importance. The hot prospect Guy Lacombe used to leave with the Reserve has become one of the most popular players in the “Rouge et Noir” squad. “When I went from nothing to Ligue 1, everything changed, M’Vila explained to Le Parisien on October 4th. But now, it’s incomparable. It’s huge ».
A month ago, during the team’s presentation to season-ticket holders, the midfielder could measure his skyrocketing popularity, for which a few matches with France did more than thirty with the “Rouge et Noir”. An unaccustomed observer could think that the team’s leader is this young French national player, and not the Senegalese colossus positioned in defence behind him. A new flag-bearer, somehow.
«Rennes could be one of the big clubs»
The temptation could be there to believe the hard work is done, and risk remaining forever the “player of the future” unanimously praised at the moment. M’Vila refuses it, reminding that the presence of his family – mother, sisters, wife and children - alongside him is the best way to avoid becoming too pretentious. “Living close to my relatives is reassuring, Mvila explained to RMC a few days ago. It keeps me from being big-headed. If this should happen, my mother or my wife would tell me immediately to calm down and remember who I am”.
On the pitch, the new international still has got much to learn, and a lot of potential to develop. “He should bring more to the attack, he can bring some percussion, Pierre Dréossi explained to L’Equipe. In the youth teams, I saw him make the difference with the ball and through his passing. This is where his evolution potential is, and playing just in front of the defence doesn’t prevent it”. As a guide, experienced midfielder Stéphane Dalmat has already volunteered to “mentor” the rise of his team-mate (see previously).
Mentored, certainly, but for how long in Rennes? Just after Norway - France, Jérôme Leroy did not hesitate recommending M’Vila to look at improving with a new club. “In Rennes, he will reach a plateau. He might even regress, the former Paris player did not hesitate to declare. He has got such a potential, he should be playing with very high level players”.
Next summer, it is highly likely that many clubs will try to hire him. With a contract running until 2014, Rennes has got all the cards in hand to retain however. M’Vila, who “dreams – as most of his colleagues- of playing in a big club” has got plenty of time to fulfil his ambition, and why not help his training club reaching new heights. “In France, there are big clubs. Rennes could be one of these”, M’vila declared to RMC recently.Deal?