“I will bring my mindset, my determination.” Cyril Jeunechamp is determined. He is known on the L1 fields as a fighter. One could compare him to another Cyril already in the Aiglons’ squad. Like Cyril Rool, he is as calm and composed in press conferences, almost shy, as he is combative on the field. “This is a new challenge. I am joining a team that is doing well. I am not here to take someone’s place but to help. A year is long, and it cannot be done with just eleven players.” Cyril Jeunechamp perfectly understands what makes a team a cohesive unit. He has been captain at Auxerre, Bastia, and Rennes. Unfortunately, he has had to endure injuries that interrupted his progress: “the last two years were difficult for me with two knee surgeries. I hope I’ve given until the end of my career at this level. Today, I’m eager to make up for all the matches I haven’t played in the past two years.” Tough but fair. He wasn’t particularly happy with the choices of Pierre Dréossi, the Stade Rennais coach, who, according to him, did not foster competition. He let him know face to face. But he won’t dwell on the subject. Sunday night, they shook hands and wished each other good luck. That’s Cyril for you.
The Rennes supporters cheered him last Thursday against Bregen to thank him for the five years spent in Brittany. It touched him. He is the type of player who should appeal to the Ray fans just as he did in the past at the Stade des Costières, in L’Abbé Deschamps, at the Stade de la Route de Lorient. He will give his all. That’s for sure. Another advantage: he can play almost anywhere. A boon for Frédéric Antonetti. “I can play three different positions on the flanks of the defense or in the midfield.” He isn’t arriving at the Gym as a stranger. He has already played with Lilian Laslandes and Olivier Echouafni and knows Pancho Abardonado and Cyril Rool. “I am not coming necessarily for my experience. There’s already a lot of that in this team. In Nice, there are quality players with character, there’s a good mix to succeed. They went through tough times last year, they endured it, and this year you can feel they’re enjoying themselves on the field.” There’s no doubt that the number 27 of the Red and Black will have a great time at the Azur club. Starting with the match against Paris Saint Germain on November 25th.
