One to Watch: Sebastian Szymański

Few winter arrivals in Ligue 1 have settled as quickly as Sebastian Szymański. Signed by Stade Rennais FC from Fenerbahçe SK in January for around €9.5 million plus bonuses, the Polish international has already begun to demonstrate the qualities that convinced Rennes to invest in him.

Now seven Ligue 1 appearances into his Rennes career, the 26-year-old attacking midfielder has scored once and added two assists, offering glimpses of the creativity and energy that could help the Breton club in its push for European qualification. His strike from the edge of the box in Rennes' dominant victory over Nice (0-4) marked his first goal for the Breton club since joining in January. 

Rennes' new creative force

Szymański himself has made clear what he wants to bring to the team. “I like creating situations for my teammates and taking risks with the ball,” the midfielder explained after his arrival. “I try to put a lot of energy into the team because when one or two players show that energy, everyone follows.”

Former Poland international Ludovic Obraniak believes Rennes have secured an excellent addition. “He has a devastating left foot that can move defensive lines,” Obraniak said. “He’s versatile, hard-working for the team and very comfortable technically.” According to the former midfielder, Szymański’s ability to operate in multiple roles makes him particularly valuable in modern tactical systems.

That versatility has already been evident in Rennes’ setup. Comfortable as a number ten, on the right flank or in a more advanced midfield role, Szymański offers Haise additional attacking solutions alongside players such as Ludovic Blas. His quality from set pieces and his quick acceleration over the first few metres add further unpredictability to Rennes’ offensive play.

Experience in Europe

Although this is his first experience in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Szymański arrives with significant experience. He emerged at Legia Warsaw before moving to Dynamo Moscow in 2019. His reputation grew further during a loan spell at Feyenoord, where he helped the club win the Eredivisie title in 2023 under Arne Slot.

A subsequent move to Fenerbahçe saw him become an important attacking player in Istanbul, working under several high-profile coaches including José Mourinho. However, after Mourinho’s departure reduced his playing time, Rennes moved quickly to secure his signature during the winter window.

With 50 caps for Poland and extensive European experience, Szymański brings both quality and maturity to Rennes’ midfield. Competition for places remains strong, but his technical intelligence, energy and willingness to attempt decisive passes could quickly make him a central figure in the team’s attacking structure.

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