Rennes finished third last season behind Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille, their average of 1.79 points per game when the season was truncated amid the coronavirus pandemic enough to punch their ticket to the Champions League group stages for the first time.

Group of death?

Drawn against English Premier League giants Chelsea, UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla and Russian outfit Krasnodar, Rennes could have their work cut out, but the squad being put together by promising young coach Julien Stéphan suggests it might be the Bretons the others should be worrying about.

After such an impressive 2019-20 season, it was perhaps inevitable that some of Rennes' top performers would be picked off. First choice goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has left, ironically, for Chelsea, while Brazilian winger Raphinha has followed him to England with Leeds. Crucially, though, Rennes held onto Eduardo Camavinga - arguably the most promising 17-year-old in the game - and have replaced the other two and then some.

"I've made this decision to stay at Rennes together with my family and we're happy to have done so, it's been decided," Camavinga told Telefoot amid reported interest from Real Madrid, to the delight of Rouge et Noir fans everywhere. "Now what I need is to think about football and not look at everything else. Life is very beautiful right now."

Yet more beautiful is the speed at which Stéphan has sculpted a team that don't necessarily depend on the recently capped French left footer. Rennes have picked up 14 of a possible 18 points to lead the way in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, claiming the scalps of Montpellier Hérault SC, AS Monaco and AS Saint-Etienne along the way, and Camavinga hasn't even clicked into top gear yet.

Adapting quickly

Leading the way in the goalscoring department is Serhou Guirassy, the former Amiens SC striker who has plundered three goals and an assist in his five games since swapping the Stade de la Licorne for Roazhon Park. At the other end of Stéphan's preferred 4-3-3, Morocco centre-back Nayef Aguerd has forged a fast partnership with club captain Damien Da Silva following his arrival from Dijon FCO.

"We're firing on all cylinders and it's exciting," Da Silva explained following the Round 5 3-0 win at Sainté, in which Aguerd opened the scoring. "We have a group that's getting to know each other better and better and the new signings bring more to our squad. We're vigilant and keep our heads on our shoulders. It's our mentality that makes the difference."

Watch: Highlights of Rennes' 3-0 win over Saint-Etienne

Mendy's international understudy Alfred Gomis has also been drafted in from Dijon, but so far, the Senegalese shot-stopper has played second fiddle to 36-year-old Romain Salin, who has rewarded Stéphan's faith with some big saves. The Raphinha gap was plugged by Doku on the final day of the transfer window, but the Belgium winger might have a similar experience at first, such has been the form of fellow wide man Benjamin Bourigeaud - second only to Guirassy with his one goal and two assists.

Midfield anchor

Steven Nzonzi has also impressed after first joining Rennes on loan from Roma in January. The 31-year-old anchors the midfield, allowing Camavinga more attacking freedom than last term. He also knows Sevilla well, having helped them lift the fifth of their sixth Europa League trophies with victory over Liverpool in 2016.

Players of significant European experience have been added since. Former Nice left-back Dalbert has arrived via stints with Inter Milan and Fiorentina, but it is fellow recent Serie A operator Rugani who's acquisition perhaps raised the most eyebrows. Owner of more than 100 appearances and five Italian league titles with Juventus, the towering centre-back can't wait to get started.

Rugani ready

"I spoke with [former PSG pair] Gianluigi Buffon and Adrien Rabiot," the 6'3" stopper explained of his decision to join. "They told me a lot of good things about this league. Gianluigi was very happy because he was convinced that it was a good choice for me. He told me that Rennes was a very organised team, difficult to face.

"The Champions League is a great showcase for everyone, the players and the club. We're in a difficult group but there are surprises every year in the competition."

With strength in depth in every position, a fine team spirit in which players young and old, seasoned or brand new, are thriving, Rennes figure to be a force to be reckoned with - something the rest of Group E should find out soon.