‘I’ve always said part of my career would be played in England’ – Benjamin Bourigeaud non-committal to Rennes long-term stay

Rennes talismanic midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud (30) has opened up on his future in an interview with Ouest-France. Stade Rennais will host RC Lens, Bourigeaud’s formative club, on Sunday for the final game of the season at the Roazhon Park. Rennes and Lens are both gunning for European qualification for next season, although Les Rouge et Noir cannot afford to drop points to keep their hopes alive. Rennes are eighth in the standings. ‘My only wish is for Stade Rennais to compete in Europe next season‘, Bourigeaud said.

For Rennes and Bourigeaud and particular, it has been a season of ups and downs. The 30-year-old midfielder notably lost his captaincy to Steve Mandanda when Julien Stéphan returned to the dugout, and scored a hat-trick against AC Milan in the Europa League playoff rounds. As far as he is concerned, Rennes-Lens won’t be Bourigeaud’s final game at the Roazhon Park. ‘That did not cross my mind. If I think like that, I might forget our collective spirit. I can’t say it will be the last, because I can’t predict the future.‘

Bourigeaud is tied with Rennes until 2026 after penning a new contract two years ago and, although he does not see himself elsewhere than in Brittany, the midfielder hints that a departure from Rennes is not totally out of the question, which is different from what he was saying last March. ‘Maybe, my journey with Rennes will continue. I’d be proud of this because it has been seven years for me to share the same emotion and love for the club. And it will go on, no matter what happens.‘

Should Bourigeaud leave France and Ligue 1, he has his sights set on taking his chances abroad, in England in particular. ‘I’ve always said part of my career would be played in England, maybe next year or in