Camavinga was one of the break-out stars for the 2019-20 season, playing his way not only into the Rennes' first team but also to his first France cap. The current campaign, however, has been tougher for the young man. 

Realistic

"I'm not going to lie to myself, I'm having an average season," admitted Camavinga, who doesn't want to make age-based excuses for his season. "There have been a lot of low points, and I haven't done everything I needed to do."

Camavinga made his Champions League debut in October 2020, a month after his senior debut with France, with whom he racked up three caps and one goal before failing to receive a call-up for the last two training camps, in November 2020 and March 2021. The 18-year-old has three caps and one goal for Les Bleus, but he was not selected for the last two training camps in November and March.

"Things like that can happen," intoned the wise-beyond-his-years teenager. "But I was selected for the France team for the first Round of the U23 Euros in March, and that was great because it's a competition we're aiming to win."

Senior team dream

So does he want to play in the U23 Euro finals at the end of May and beginning of June, or would he prefer to join Deschamps' senior team for Euro 2021?

"I would love to be a part of the senior team, but if I am called up to the U23s it would be with great pleasure and pride," he said. "At 18, I hope to play my first Euro with the senior team."

Either way, big summer ahead

The Rennes midfielder, who was suspended for Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain, does not have many more opportunities to convince Deschamps before the announcement of the France squad for the Euro on 18 May.

Whether or not he joins Les Bleus for the tournament could have a bearing on his future - widely held to be an extremely bright one - but Camavinga isn't about to let himself be distracted by what the summer transfer window could bring - not yet, in any case.

"Now is not the moment," said the technically brilliant and thoroughly versatile midfielder, who is being closely monitored by some of Europe's biggest clubs, reportedly including Ligue 1 Uber Eats juggernauts Paris Saint-Germain. "It's not something I've thought about and discussed with my family yet. We are focusing on Stade Rennais first and foremost."

The club whose youth academy he graduated from have offered him an extension and are hoping he won't leave on a free at the end of season 2021-22  he will not leave next year when his contract expires. Still in the running for a fifth-placed Ligue 1 Uber Eats finish - which would land them a place in UEFA Europa League qualifying - the club is well aware that this could make a huge difference.

"If we qualify for Europe, it will condition our transfer window heavily," said Rennes president Nicolas Holveck in an interview broadcast by Ouest-France on Sunday. "And it  will also affect Eduardo."


>> PLAYER PROFILE: Eduardo Camavinga

>> One to watch: Eduardo Camavinga

>> OPINION: Why Neymar's new deal could lead to continental domination