Kyogo Furuhashi’s tough start to life at Rennes continued over the weekend as he remained on the bench for the fourth consecutive match. The former Celtic forward was again passed over during the club's emphatic 4-0 victory against Montpellier, leaving fans questioning his place within the squad.
Since his £10 million transfer from Celtic, Kyogo has had limited playing time, amassing just 83 minutes across two substitute appearances, with only 12 touches of the ball to show for it. This marks a stark departure from his days at Celtic, where he was not only a key player but also a favorite among fans for his sharp movement and clinical finishing.
Adding to his woes, the Japanese international's arrival at Rennes coincided with the sacking of former manager Jorge Sampaoli, who had reportedly been instrumental in pursuing the striker. Following Sampaoli's departure, Kyogo has found himself struggling to find his footing under new head coach Habib Beye, resulting in increasing uncertainty about his role within the squad.
Over the past few weeks, Rennes has been performing well without Kyogo’s contributions, which does not bode well for his chances of breaking back onto the starting team. With each passing game, it becomes more evident how much they seem to be thriving without him, raising questions about the wisdom of his transfer. For Celtic supporters, witnessing such a beloved player's struggle for minutes is incredibly frustrating. Many fans who cherished his contributions during his tenure are left to wonder whether he made the right choice by moving to France.
"I believe demonstrating my prowess here in France by playing consistently will increase my chances of being called up to the national team again and allow me to showcase a different aspect of my game," Furuhashi expressed prior to the transfer. He reiterated, "While I can't guarantee a call-up, proving my skills at Rennes certainly adds to my prospects," adding weight to the pressure he faces to impress.
At 30 years old, Kyogo aspired to experience new challenges and compete at higher levels. With discussions surrounding his international future, particularly as the World Cup approaches, it’s evident he set his eyes on solidifying his place among Japan's elite. Yet, with his current lack of playtime, his dreams could be slipping away. For now, his focus must turn to training hard and capitalizing on any opportunity to show his quality on the pitch.
Kyogo enjoyed considerable success at Celtic, scoring 85 goals over three and a half years and helping secure multiple domestic titles. His presence was felt strongly within the squad, yet the need for change drove him to seek out this new leg of his career. Celtic's faithful will argue, though, the decision to leave might have been premature, especially with his successor Daizen Maeda quickly finding his stride within the team.
"I think if I can prove my strength here… I will be called up by the national team again and I will be able to show a different side of myself," Kyogo had remarked during his initial days at Rennes. The pressure mounts as he strives to prove his worth and become part of the new regime's vision for success.
Going forward, Kyogo must impress coach Beye, whose brief time with the club has already raised eyebrows. If he cannot break through the lineup soon, the high-profile transfer may soon be cataloged as one of the more perplexing moves of the season.
The new manager seems to have his eyes set on alternate strategies, as Rennes continues to experiment with their formation and attacking options without the Japanese star. If Furuhashi fails to make his mark shortly, he risks being sidelined entirely just as he embarks on his French football adventure. With Rennes achieving results and moving mid-table, the urgency for him to find playing time has never been greater.
For now, as the fans sent him their well wishes from afar, there's hope he can rise to the occasion, reclaim his place on the field, and rewrite the narrative of his time at Rennes. Will Kyogo Furuhashi turn his career around? Only time will tell, but the alert for his performance remains high.