Jérémy Doku, here during the Champions League match against Sevilla on December 8, 2020. -

David Vincent / AP / SIPA

  • Stade Rennais receives Lyon this Saturday in the shock of the 19th day of Ligue 1.

  • To obtain a result against the leader, the Rouge et Noir are counting a lot on their Belgian nugget Jérémy Doku, author of a fairly discreet start to the season.

  • Belgian observers believe that the young 18-year-old winger has all the qualities to become a future star but that he must be given time.

He could have put the Rennes supporters directly in the pocket by being decisive Wednesday night against Nantes.

But Jérémy Doku unfortunately fell very short of expectations, going through the derby like a ghost.

Arrival in early October from Anderlecht for the record sum of 26 million euros, the most expensive recruit in the history of Stade Rennais, which receives Lyon this Saturday in the shock of the 19th day, penalty for the time to show the full extent of his talent in Brittany.

"We expect a lot more of course, he only shows 40% of what he can do now," admits Sacha Tavolieri, Belgian football specialist and correspondent for RMC.

Apart from a few flashes, his first matches were quite anecdotal under the Rennes jersey, yet Julien Stéphan gave him playing time in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

It was not until December that the young 18-year-old Red Devil finally seemed to assume his status as a future crack, delivering two assists against Marseille and Lorient and above all showing all his speed and explosiveness.

“He's technically very strong of course, both in dribbling and in crosses,” says Sacha Tavolieri.

But above all he is incredibly strong physically, he manages to make incredible differences over two or three meters ”.

More and more fulfilled in the group

An explosiveness and a speed that has wreaked havoc in the Jupiler League where the young prodigy has been aligned forty times with the Mauves.

“The opposing players often had to make a mistake to stop him and he caused a lot of yellow or red cards,” said Frank Eeckhout, journalist for the Belgian daily

Het Laatste Nieuws

and supporter for 42 years of the Anderlecht club.

🔙 |

Look away, @rscanderlecht fans.

👀 @ JeremyDoku had a top performance against Zulte Waregem last year with two goals and one assist!

🔥 # ZWAAND pic.twitter.com/Jbw1aOwhev

- Eleven Sports (FR) (@ElevenSportsBEf) December 2, 2020

At Stade Rennais, Jérémy Doku must now adapt to a new environment, which has always been put forward and hatched in Belgium.

In any case, he seems to fit well into the collective, being in particular very close to Eduardo Camavinga, the other nugget of the Breton club.

"He is more and more fulfilled in the group and it shows on the field where he plays much more liberated", confirms Rennes midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud.

"His impact is much stronger in our offensive animation and his relationship with Hamari Traoré is also progressing well," adds coach Julien Stéphan.

Technical accuracy still to be improved

Rennes supporters are now waiting for the young Belgian winger to unlock his goal counter and take decisive action.

"For that, we need to give him a little time because he still lacks experience at a very high level," says Frank Eeckhout.

"He will also have to work on his mind because he sometimes tends to rely on his talent," continues Sacha Tavolieri.

It must also be more technically fair.

And if he manages to combine this mastery of the ball with his athleticism, then he will be phenomenal!

".

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