Camavinga, Dembele, Ugochukwu: Every WONDERKID to come through Rennes' SENSATIONAL academy system

Cameron Smith

• 31 Jul 2023 10:40 CDT
• 3 min read

Ligue 1 is a hotbed for young talents and Stade Rennais do it better than most. France have reached back-to-back World Cup finals, including their triumph in 2018, and may well have entered an era of dominance in international football.

Their top flight league’s focus on developing young talents has no doubt played a key role in that, with Ligue 1 even branding the division as ‘The League of Talents’.

Paris Saint-Germain are the only club whose record transfer arrival was signed for more than €45 million, with the rest of the division relying upon developing youngsters to become key players in their first-team. That’s a task that Rennes have taken to like a duck to water.

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Their best Ligue 1 finish in over a decade may be third, but Rennes have consistently produced some of the best young French talents since the 2010s began, with their focus on developing young players seeing significant results.

Furthermore, two of their academy products are set for huge moves this summer. Ousmane Dembele came through the ranks at Rennes and, via a huge developmental spell at Borussia Dortmund, is now at Barcelona.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to join the Parisians this summer.

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In addition, current Rennes star Lesley Ugochukwu, 19, is on the verge of officially joining Chelsea after the Blues tabled a €27m bid to sign the young midfielder.

Which players have come through the Rennes academy in recent years?

Many of those stars have come through at Rennes in the past five years and while some didn’t spend their entire youth career at the club - such as Mathys Tel, who joined aged 15 - they all developed within the incredible facilities at Rennes.

Desire Doue is likely to be the next big thing at Rennes and after breaking through last season, he could be set for a big campaign this year if they are able to retain him.