One to Watch: Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé shines at Euro U21

Stade Rennais have been one of the most prolific clubs in France in unearthing great talent over the last 25 years. The electric Ousmane Dembélé made his senior debut in Ligue 1 McDonalds, along with current Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga to name another talent which has gone on to achieve much in the world of football as well as appear regularly for the French national team. The Rennes youth setup has consistently produced world class talent, and Rennes may have uncovered yet another midfield gem in Djaoui Cissé.

The 21-year-old midfielder, once stuck in the shadows of high-profile summer arrivals, has burst into the limelight under the guidance of Habib Beye. At the start of 2025, Cissé was grinding away for Rennes' reserve side in a goalless draw at Plabennec.

But when Beye replaced Jorge Sampaoli at the helm, he found himself thrust into the first team due to a midfield shortage against Strasbourg in early February. He impressed enough to earn a starting berth, which he has since refused to relinquish. Now he is catching the eye at the current Euro U21 Championships.

After scoring a brace against Poland in the round of 16, the Rennes midfielder scored once more to overcome Denmark in the quarter-final - earning plaudits all around. He earned an 8 rating in L'Équipe's renowned player ratings, adding that his "technical ability and quick changes of direction were a constant source of inspiration throughout the game."

Cissé’s emergence follows a familiar Rennes blueprint. Just as Dembélé dazzled before earning a move to Borussia Dortmund and Camavinga matured into a Real Madrid star, Cissé is now showing why patience and perseverance at Rennes often lead to greater rewards. His ability to transition play and break lines evokes memories of Camavinga’s early days in Ligue 1, while his dynamism mirrors the tenacity of former Rennes academy graduates like Yann M’Vila and Steven Nzonzi.

WATCH: Cissé scores vs Denmark 

'Djaoui has been working relentlessly'

His teammate Lorenz Assignon, another academy graduate, was not surprised by Cissé’s breakthrough earlier this year. "You always see Rennes producing top young players. It just takes the right moment and the right coach. Djaoui has been working relentlessly, and now he’s reaping the rewards."

New Rennes boss Habib Beye has made clear his admiration for the young midfielder. "We’ve been encouraging more long-range efforts, and Cissé executed it perfectly," Beye noted. "His tactical understanding is impressive, but there’s still room for improvement, particularly in his positioning and defensive transitions."

This faith in youth is nothing new for Rennes. Their commitment to promoting from within has repeatedly paid dividends, and in Cissé, they may have found another long-term asset who could also prove his worth at the international level for years to come.

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