FEATURE | Jota at Rennes: What went wrong and what Celtic can expect from former cult hero | OneFootball

Rennes and João Pedro Neves Filipe “Jota” (25) are set to part ways imminently with the Ligue 1 club agreeing to a €10m transfer fee with Celtic. The Portuguese winger will return to Celtic Park, where he reached cult status. From 2021 to 2023, Jota logged 28 goals and 26 assists in 83 games with the Bhoys. It’s fair to say Jota never reached these heights at Al-Ittihad or Rennes.

Jota’s stint in Jeddah was ill-fated from the get-go. Two months after his arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Benfica youth product was axed from Nuno Espirito Santo’s league-playing squad as national rules dictate only eight foreign players per team can be registered. The current Nottingham Forest boss wanted to retain Jota’s services but Al-Ittihad opted to drop the winger anyway, with 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema reportedly playing a decisive role behind the scenes, to the benefit of centre-back Luiz Felipe.

From September 2023 to March 2024, Jota is consigned to scarce appearances in the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Champions League. Such a long time away from regular first-team football in a relatively minor league – despite what Cristiano Ronaldo may think – had expected consequences on Jota’s fitness and his situation would not improve the following summer. Despite having returned to the fold under Marcelo Gallardo, Jota would find himself again on the sidelines with Al-Ittihad new head coach Laurent Blanc dropping him from first-team training sessions and Al-Ittihad resorting to part ways with their €25m signing to recoup some of their losses.

A detrimental lack of preseason

In January 2024, a swap deal involving Real Betis’ Nabil Fekir and Jota failed to materialize. In the summer, Rennes wrapped up a shock €8m deal to offer the 25-year-old a way back into European football in the final hours of the summer transfer window. Therefore, Jota had no full preseason with either Al-Ittihad or Rennes when, given his situation, he was in desperate need of one. Rennes head coach Julien Stéphan mentioned how the team’s marquee summer signing would need time, possibly weeks of work, before regaining his full fitness.

Jota endeared himself to Rennes fans by scoring his debut goal when his team needed it most. Les Rouge et Noir were 1-0 down in their Brittany rivals’ Brest backyard when the Portuguese tapped in Arnaud Kalimuendo’s cross… with his crotch. “We build on. Not so much for the future generations of Jotinhas tho“, quipped Jota on social media. Sources contacted by Get French Football News described Jota as an affable player who wanted to repay Rennes the faith they showed in him when his career was in limbo. Despite the lack of Portuguese-speaking players at Rennes, Jota’s integration was made easier by the fact he had notions of French.

A case of inadequate squad-building

Rennes’ No. 27 was part of a swathe of summer incomings initiated by Sporting director Frederic Massara. These signings had no experience with French football and most of them are already gone (Albert Grønbæk, Henrik Meister) or on their way out, such as Mikayil Faye or Jota. Rennes’ summer turnover was also defined by the departures of long-standing fan favorites Benjamin Bourigeaud and Martin Terrier, who were not even remotely adequately replaced, putting Massara under scrutiny.

As a consequence, Rennes’ results worsened when, at the same time, Jota was slowly getting more and more minutes and starts. The Portuguese started his team’s 4-0 away loss to Auxerre which cost Stéphan his job in early November. The son of France’s deputy coach Guy Stéphan intended to field the Portuguese as a left-winger who would dart inside to be at the heart of Rennes’ attacks and display his technical abilities. But for this to work, Rennes needed a balanced midfield to provide control, which prompted them to sign Seko Fofana as a priority in January.

A wrong fit leading to an early exit

The arrival of Jorge Sampaoli on the dugout proved the final nail in Jota’s career in Rennes. The Celtic-bound winger never started a game under the tutelage of the Argentine manager. Get French Football News understands the former Sevilla head coach was far from convinced Jota would fit into his tactical set-up which heavily relies on pace and energy. “He is not at his best”, Sampaoli said in a press conference. “I need players who make continuous, defensive and attacking efforts. I know Jota well from Celtic, and players who know how to make a difference in one-on-one situations are very important for us. He’s able to, but I look at training sessions every day and I decide who plays.“

Sampaoli’s decision-making seems to extend beyond the pitch as the Argentine identified Celtic FC’s Kyogo Furuhashi as an ideal target to bring some much-needed new blood up front. The Japan international was motivated to test himself in a more competitive league than the Scottish Premiership and Celtic softened their stance when it transpired Jota could be available in a separate deal.

Given his blossoming career took an unexpected turn eighteen months ago, Celtic fans would need to be patient with Jota. But the fact the latter decided to return to a club – in a way better shape than Rennes – in which he has created such a legacy is a clear statement of intent. “He’s got an undoubted quality”, praised Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. “He’s still got things he can prove to develop, but he’s still young. If that comes through, then I’ll be really excited to work with him.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval