PROFILE | Ludovic Blas – the maverick winger finally meeting Rennes’ expectations | OneFootball

Ludovic Blas’ debut season with Stade Rennais last year barely lived up to the hype his €15m switch from bitter Brittany rivals FC Nantes generated. The former Les Canaris captain had to endear himself to Rennes fans and made things difficult for himself with inconsistent performances in a stuttering team, meaning he lost his place in the starting XI. He only started 18 Ligue 1 games last term for a meagre return of four goals and one assist.

Blas also provoked slight unrest within the squad when he tried to swell these numbers by stepping up to the spot kick for a penalty he was not supposed to shoot as Martin Terrier was the normal penalty-taker in the absence of Benjamin Bourigeaud. Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw guessed the right way. Terrier then scored a brace and Blas was roundly booed off the pitch for his substitution.

Blas acknowledged he made a mistake but this “penaltygate” summed up his debut season at Roazhon Park: a wasted opportunity to kick on following remarkable seasons at Nantes that culminated with their 2022 Coupe de France triumph. But he used this very moment to his advantage to pick himself up and go up a gear.

“It helped me. It triggered me to keep showing what I was doing well in training”, said Blas during a pre-game presser last March. “You may get the impression that I’m not doing my best or that I’m making no effort, but it’s my game. To show my teammates I can change certain things can help them put their faith in me. There’s no better feeling in a team than your teammates trusting you.”

A year of contrasting fortunes for Blas

Rennes’ whirlwind summer transfer window – with the departures of senior players like Enzo Le Fée, Benjamin Bourigeaud and Martin Terrier – meant that Ludovic Blas was expected to compete with recruit Albert Gronbaek for a spot at the tip of Julien Stéphan’s diamond midfield. But in the absence of Arnaud Kalimuendo, involved in France’s run to the Olympic silver medal, Blas flourished as a striker as well as on the right wing, equalling his Ligue 1 goal contributions tally from last year in only seven games.

For Jorge Sampaoli’s first home game as Rennes manager, Blas put on a show, scoring one goal, logging two assists to Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo and obtaining a penalty against Saint-Etienne. This time, Rennes fans gave him a standing ovation when he exited the pitch. “If he continues like this, he will greatly help the team”, added the Argentine manager.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval