Stade Rennais midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud is a man on top of his game, his precise, intelligent play and eye for an assist - he sits second on the Ligue 1 Uber Eats assists chart - helping Rennes into third place. Focus on a rising force in French football.
Benjamin Bourigeaud has every reason to smile. At 28, he's playing the best football of his career this season with Rennes, for whom he's turned out nearly 200 times. With six goals and 11 assists, he's played a major part in Rennes' rise to third in the table, and it's little wonder that Nice, Roma and Lazio are reportedly keen on signing the attacking midfielder.
'Concentrating on my game'
"I'm a Rennes player at the moment, and I'm focusing on the job I have here," Bourigeaud told the Ligue 1 Show on beIN SPORTS. "I'm really concentrating on my game and trying to play as well as possible… The coach has given me responsibility, and I want to repay his faith. I'm trying to support the young players and help this squad go as far as possible."
Bourigeaud knows it isn't easy to make it in Ligue 1. Having made his top-flight debut with Lens in 2014-15, he then spent three seasons in the second division before signing for Rennes. Five years later and he's regarded as one of very best in his position in the division.
Genesio: 'An intelligent player'
"Intelligent players can player in pretty much any system, and in nearly every position," said Rennes boss Bruno Genesio. "Bourige is an intelligent player… he's playing a lot of football, but his standards remain very high. If I'm not mistaken, I think he's the only guy to have started every single game."
Genesio is almost right… Bourigeaud has started 39 games out of 41, more than any other player. Operating on the right-hand side of the Rennes attack, he distinguished himself by providing three assists against Metz in Round 24.
Genesio: 'Benefitting from his efforts'
'When you look at his performances week in week out, it's quite amazing," continued Genesio. "But he's a very clever guy who looks out for his teammates. He makes a lot of runs off the ball that you don't even notice, but this creates space for his teammates, that's what I really like about him. Different players are benefitting from his efforts."
Bourigeaud, who has worn the captain's armband five times this season, has been directly involved in nine goals in Rennes' last five games. Saturday's opponents Reims have been warned.
