Habib Beye praises Lilian Brassier’s ‘leadership’ | OneFootball

Speaking in a press conference, Stade Rennais head coach Habib Beye has sung Lilian Brassier’s (25) praises before the club hosts Stade de Reims later tonight.

Brassier arrived at Rennes on loan (but with an option to buy) from Stade Brestois during the winter transfer window after a difficult six months at Olympique de Marseille. The centre-back had struggled during his time in the south, making several high-profile errors.

These mistakes led Marseille to question Brassier’s mentality and his ability to cope with the pressures found at the vociferous Stade Vélodrome. Marseille refused to trigger his €12 million buy option allowing for Rennes to pounce.

Beye who joined Rennes at a similar time to Brassier has been delighted with the centre-back’s performances, “He’s already a leader in the group, I would have taken him anywhere I went. He had a difficult time in Marseille, but when analysing a player, we must understand there are some unfavourable contexts and his qualities have not disappeared in a few months.”

He continued, “We gave him confidence, he’s a player who loves to train and is passionate about the game. Behind all of this, it’s just the tools that you give him.”

After winning their first two games under Beye, Rennes are looking to bounce back from a defeat to Lille OSC last weekend (2-0) when they host an out-of-sorts Reims side who have not won in the league since late November.

GFFN | Nick Hartland