Young Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd is set to make a fourth start on Saturday night against Monaco.

-

DAMIEN MEYER / AFP

  • Despite a certain skepticism on his arrival, the young Moroccan defender Nayef Aguerd has made a very good start to the season under his new Rennes colors.

  • Associated with Damien Da Silva in central defense, he will start again this Saturday evening against Monaco.

  • The Rennes staff and their former partners praise their physical and technical qualities as well as their human qualities.

Barely arrived and already adopted.

Landed this summer from Dijon, Nayef Aguerd is already unanimous in the locker room and among Rennes supporters.

Holder since the start of the season in central defense, the young 24-year-old Moroccan defender has delivered a solid and serious performance each time, even allowing himself to be decisive on Sunday against Nîmes.

His arrival for five million euros, however, did not unleash passions in the Breton capital where other more flashy names, such as Salisu or Kouassi, were announced.

“Ok”, even allowed himself to let go of a famous consultant on social networks.

Ok

- Pierre Ménès (@PierreMenes) August 13, 2020

In three meetings, the native of Kénitra therefore silenced the bad tongues.

Which does not really surprise his former partner Florent Balmont.

“He's a very good player with still a lot of room for improvement,” indicates the former Dijon midfielder who now works as a consultant on the Téléfoot channel.

He is technically very comfortable with always very clean ball exits.

And even if he does not have the most impressive size, he is very strong physically and likes to go to the duel ”.

A physical, technical and cerebral player

These are all qualities that the Rennes staff had already identified when the player was still in Burgundy.

"Very quickly, I had detected interesting things in him, tactically, technically and physically," said Florian Maurice, technical director of the Breton club, at the time of his presentation.

Convincing on the ground, Nayef Aguerd is also outside, according to his coach.

"He is a cerebral person, who thinks a lot and is attentive, constantly in the exchange and in the sharing", underlines Julien Stéphan.

📸 Nayef Aguerd vs Nîmes pic.twitter.com/tYVJH0NMe5

- Almarssadpro.com (@ProsMarocains) September 14, 2020

A flattering portrait that also draws Florent Balmont.

"He is someone very simple, full of humility and who shows a great desire to progress," said the former "pit bull" of Ligue 1. The person also recognizes it himself.

His signature in Rennes is part of “the career plan” he had drawn up when he was still a youngster at the Mohamed VI academy.

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

The Moroccan selection extends its arms to him

In Morocco precisely, its performances are starting to find a certain resonance.

"Very young, he was perceived as a great hope for Moroccan football," said Yasser Benchrif, manager of the Almarssadpro site, who is interested in players from the Kingdom playing abroad.

Barred for several years in selection by the Benatia-Saïss hinge, Nayef Aguerd currently only has two selections with the Atlas Lions.

But its time is soon according to Yasser Benchrif.

“With the level he is currently showing and the retirement of Benatia, he has every chance of becoming a holder,” he believes.

To find the selection, Nayef Aguerd also knows what remains to be done.

"If I'm good at the club, the team wins and we stay at the top of the rankings, I'm sure I'll be called," he announced.

Sport

Stade Rennais striker Jordan Siebatcheu heads to Switzerland

Sport

"There is manipulation" ... When Julien Stéphan reframes the consultant Pierre Ménès

  • Julien Stephan

  • Rennais Stadium

  • Morocco

  • Reindeer

  • Soccer

  • League 1

  • Sport