Second in the new Ligue 1 – 20 for 20 series, a young star starting to turn heads in France this season.

Starting his second season in charge of Stade Rennais Frédéric Antonetti had a tough task in front of him. Asamoah Gyan, Jimmy Briand, Moussa Sow and Ismael Bangoura had all left the Brittany club in the summer giving the former Nice manager a selection headache. However as the season has progressed it looks like he could have the perfect cure right under his nose.

Starting the season as a substitute Jirès Kembo-Ekoko has forced his way into Antonetti’s plans and has become one of the most exciting young prospects in Ligue 1 this season. The start of December saw Rennes take on Monaco in what turned out to be a tough home game. Not the best match in terms on quality passing or excitement however Kembo-Ekoko’s quality and raw ability was there for all to see.

Every time he received the ball he would turn and charge at the nearest defender, too often he would lose the ball taking on that one defender too many. Surprisingly not once did the home crowd get frustrated, you could hear the stadium lift with anticipation every time he collected the ball.

In what was a tough game, it was Kembo-Ekoko’s cross that was deemed to be handled by Nampalys Mendy, giving Rennes a penalty which was dispatched by Victor Montano for the 1-0 victory. Still only 22 and young to the game, the Rennes faithful have no doubt that he can only get better.

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1988 he quickly moved to France growing up in the Greater Paris area. He joined local club AS Bondy when he was nine and after four years he moved to the world famous youth academy Clairefontaine hoping to expand his game.

After honing his skills for three years next to the likes of Blaise Matuidi and Abou Diaby he signed for Rennes and made his move to Brittany. Rennes staff could see they had a star on their hands.  In 2006 playing for the reserves he scored 15 goals his great form was not unnoticed. Guy Lacombe rewarded Jirès with his first team debut, coming on in the 80 ^th minute for Jimmy Briand in a 2-1 defeat at home to Lille.

With three appearances under his belt he would continue to mix games with the reserves and first time for the next two years. In 2008 he made seven league starts popping up with two goals in the league and two more in cup competitions.

This year has been his breakout year; goals against Lyon, Auxerre and Brest have catapulted him into the Ligue 1 spotlight. With four quality strikers leaving the Stade Route de Lorient there was a huge need for someone to step up and answer the call. Jirès has answered the call and with eleven league starts his three goals and one assist have been most impressive.

Kembo-Ekoko has the ability to play through the middle as a striker, but is more effective out on the wings. His form and explosive talent have been a very important element to Rennes exciting season which finds them currently joint top of Ligue 1.

At 22 years old he may been seen as a late bloomer and he is still by no means the finished article, vast improvement is needed on his final product, however with his electrifying pace and ability to take players on Jirès Kembo-Ekoko is a very exciting player to watch.

Frédéric Antonetti has expressed his desire to bring in some big name signings to improve his team, hopefully this will not take away any of Jirès playing time. If he is given time to develop Antonetti might already be looking at France’s “next big thing”.