Sylvain Marveaux is a 23-year-old attacking midfielder (who mostly plays on the left side), this is his fourth season at Rennes, and it seems that it is going to be his break-out year.
The genes in the Marveaux family make good footballers – Sylvain’s older brother, Joris Steve Marveaux , plays for Montpellier and scored in their 2-1 win over Lyon last night.
The younger Marveaux bother began playing football at a local club in Vannes, named AS Menimur, after a few years in the youth categories, he joined Rennes when he was 16-years-old.
In his first season in the senior team during the 2006/2007 season he scored five goals and had an impressive opening to his professional career. The following two seasons were much more difficult for him, and he was often on the bench.
In 2008/2009 he played only five times because he had a couple of injuries to the groin and the hip and was out for a total of 14 weeks during that season. In recent months Marveaux has benefitted from good health and a consistent run in the side.
This season Marveaux is showing great ability and has put in some very impressive performances. He declared recently that he was in very good physical condition and hopes to be able to keep his good playing level for the entire season.
So far he has scored four goals and delivered three assists in 16 games. His last goal against Nancy, gave Rennes the victory and shows that Marveaux has become a leader of the team.
But it is not only the statistics; Marveaux is impressing on the field with some very nice moves that one usually only sees from the very best players. His main quality is his speed and acceleration, due to his physical qualities and his small size.
He is able to eliminate defenders by his quality of speed and also with technical ability above most average players. Another quality of Marveaux, is his precise passing leading to assists, he is a complete player, able to score but able to play a team mate in on goal.
Physically, and also in his style of play and in his position on the field, it is amazing how he looks and plays like Florent Malouda (also left footed). He has consistently been involved in youth levels of the French national team and is a big hope for Les Bleus.
