Mikayil Faye has been thrust into the spotlight at Stade Rennais following a difficult start to his career in Ligue 1, with the Senegalese defender now feeling the weight of his new coach Jorge Sampaoli’s expectations. Faye’s struggles have been highlighted by his recent performance in Rennes’ 1-0 loss to Lille, which marked their third consecutive defeat in the league.
The 20-year-old, who joined Rennes from Barcelona earlier this year for a reported fee of €10 million, has only made six appearances this season, accumulating just 375 minutes of play.
His performance has been under scrutiny, and his difficult period at the club worsened when he was called upon to replace Ghanaian defender Alidu Seidu, who suffered a serious injury during the match against Lille.
However, it was Faye’s behavior during the game that drew the ire of his new manager, Sampaoli.
The Argentine coach, who replaced Julien Stéphan following his dismissal, expressed his frustration with Faye for taking what was deemed an excessive amount of time to put on his socks before coming onto the field.
Sampaoli did not hold back in his post-match comments, saying, “My anger about Faye coming on? It’s not normal for a player to need so much time to put his socks on.”
This remark highlighted Sampaoli’s strict expectations for his players, especially at a time when Rennes are struggling in Ligue 1, currently sitting 15th in the standings.
The defeat to Lille added to the pressure on both the team and the young defender, whose performances are being closely watched as he adjusts to the demands of top-flight football.
For Faye, this period marks a challenging initiation into the first team, and he is now keenly aware of the high standards expected at his new club.
The former Barcelona player is experiencing the intensity of professional football at the highest level, and Sampaoli’s stern words are likely to serve as a harsh reminder of the need for discipline and focus if he is to succeed at Rennes.
18′ : Jorge Sampaoli était en furie car Mikayil Faye a pris du temps à rentrer : il n’a pas été autorisé à faire son entrée car il y avait trop de trous dans ses chaussettes.
Rennes a joué à 10 pendant 5 minutes à cause de cela.
❤️🤍 LOSC 0-0 RENNES 🖤❤️
— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) November 24, 2024
