Rémy Cabella to Olympiacos: A Calculated Bet, Not a Nostalgic Gamble | OneFootball

There’s something refreshing — and perhaps a bit reassuring — about Olympiacos’ decisiveness this summer. Less than two weeks after mathematically clinching the Greek Super League title, the club has moved swiftly in the market. No stalling. No waiting for deadline day theatrics. No scramble.

Instead, one of the first pieces of the puzzle for the 2025/26 season is already being laid: Rémy Cabella.

At 35, Cabella won’t come wrapped in buzz or resale value. But what he does bring is high-level experience, positional flexibility, and — perhaps most importantly — form. This isn’t a farewell tour. It’s a football decision. And an astute one at that.

Cabella: Not Just “Valbuena 2.0” — Perhaps More of a Kevin Mirallas

The immediate comparison among Olympiacos fans has been with Mathieu Valbuena, the diminutive Frenchman who etched his name into club folklore with guile, assists, and endless flair. And on the surface, the Cabella parallels are tempting: French, attacking midfielder, set-piece capable, Champions League pedigree.

But scratch a little deeper, and Cabella looks closer in type to another former Olympiacos icon — Kevin Mirallas. Like the Belgian, Cabella operates with more verticality and athleticism, favoring progressive movement over orchestration. He drives at defenders, presses without compromise, and plays with a more electric edge. While Valbuena orchestrated rhythm, Cabella disrupts it.

This season at Lille, Cabella was anything but a bystander. He made 35 appearances across Ligue 1, the Champions League, and Coupe de France — and remained a trusted part of Bruno Génésio’s rotation. He featured primarily as a right winger but also filled in centrally, tallying goal contributions and dictating play in transition.

Elite Numbers Behind the Veteran Profile

Yes, Cabella is 35 — and yes, some supporters may grumble at the optics of signing another player deep into his 30s. But the data paints a radically different picture.

Cabella ranks in the 90th percentile among attacking midfielders and wingers in France this season in the following categories (per match basis):

This is not a nostalgia signing. This is one of the most effective creative outlets in Ligue 1 still playing at a high level.

Moreover, Cabella averaged 40 touches per 90’, won 3.4 duels per game, completed nearly 1 successful dribble per match, and passed at an 87% success rate. He also pressed effectively, made 2.8 recoveries per game, and handled multiple attacking roles with tactical maturity.

Olympiacos Moving Early — For Once

Perhaps the most encouraging element of this deal is not just the player himself — but the timing. Olympiacos is acting early, decisively, and strategically.

In past summers, the club often left major squad building until the final stretch of the transfer window — sometimes under pressure, other times in response to European exits. Not this time.

By targeting Cabella now, Olympiacos gains a player who can join the full preseason, absorb José Luis Mendilibar’s pressing demands, and immediately compete for a key creative role, whether centrally or wide.

It’s a piece of business that hints at planning. At structure. At continuity.

The Mendilibar Fit

Cabella’s high-intensity, high-IQ style is made for Mendilibar. He can press high, work hard off the ball, and slot into multiple attacking roles without disrupting the team’s shape. He’s comfortable as a starter or as an impact substitute — and that alone makes him invaluable in a system that demands adaptability and legs.

Knowing that Olympiacos are targeting top quality wingers, to replace the creativity lost by Podence and Fortounis, Cabella offers a complementary profile — one rooted in experience and tactical sharpness. And unlike many newcomers, he should not require a period of adjustment. He’s been here before — on bigger stages, under brighter lights.

Final Word: A Smart Risk, Not a Sentimental One

Rémy Cabella may not generate headlines like a marquee striker or a rising wonderkid. But his numbers suggest real value. His mentality points to hunger, not comfort. And his signing — done early, done smartly — tells us something else too:

Olympiacos isn’t sitting on its laurels. They're building.

And Cabella, once an opponent of Greek teams in Europe, might now become one of their most seasoned architects.