IT is funny how 18 months can make a massive difference in football. For a player, especially a young one, a move, a different league, more chances to showcase his talent and newly discovered confidence, can change everything. It certainly happened for Jeff Reine-Adelaide.
When Arsenal bought him at 17 in July 2015 from Lens, he was one off the most promising talents of his generation. The Parisian, now 21, had just starred in the U17 European Championship, which he won with France, being named in the team of the tournament as well. A lot of top European clubs were after him and Arsène Wenger saw it as a great coup recruiting the young Frenchman for €2.5m. He made his debut in the Emirates Cup the same summer against Lyon and impressed. The future looked bright in an Arsenal team which needed talent and flair. Yet, “JRA” was young. He had some injuries and the opportunities were very few. He played very well with the reserves and also at training. Nevertheless, Wenger was in his last few years at the club and maybe the manager felt he could not play his youngsters too much. It was disappointing for Reine-Adelaide because he felt like he never really got going. Like many before him (and probably after him), he decided to go on loan to almost relaunch his career and he did just that. Angers and their sporting director Olivier Pickeu are very good at smelling a good deal.
Milan, Dortmund, Leverkusen, Lyon, Lille, Porto among the clubs keen on France U21 forward Jeff Reine-Adelaide. Angers prepared to sell but not for less than €20m. Arsenal, who sold for €1.5m a year ago, would get just 10% of resale (@OuestFrance)
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) June 29, 2019
Reine-Adelaide has played in every single France youth team possible, from U16 to currently U21. Angers knew that he would not have lost his talent while at Arsenal. They welcomed him in January 2018, gave him time to integrate and to adapt. He played 10 games between then and the end of the 17/18 season, with some interesting moments. But he did much better last year: 35 league matches out of 38, including 29 as a starter. He scored three goals and gave three assists but contributed much more to keep Angers in the top flight. They naturally bought him from Arsenal for €1.6m.
The France U21 had gotten his confidence back. He is so gifted technically that he can naturally play as a winger but also as a number eight. Despite everything he owes Angers, he knew from the beginning that the club could quickly become too small for him. It is exactly what has happened. With defensive midfielder Flavien Tait, they were the best players last season. His value has rocketed. He could be worth up to €20m now. Lille are really keen to get him to replace Nicolas Pépé, who is on his way out. Monaco are also having a look at the U21 international, as are Lyon.
One of the things teams like about him, apart from the talent and the good mentality, is the resale value. At only 21, his value will keep growing. He did well with France in the U21 European championship this summer in Italy, despite losing in the semi-final to a superior Spain side. Clubs in the Bundesliga and in the Premier League are also eyeing him up but he feels that to continue his progression and development, it would be better to remain in Ligue 1 for the foreseeable future.
Lyon will play in the Champions League but competition in their squad is high. Monaco need to bounce back after a terrible last season. Lille, who are also in the Champions League, seems a good call for him. Their strategy of getting young and talented players to sell to bigger clubs (i.e. Pépé, Rafael Leao, Thiago Mendes) would be a good option for him.
U21s with most successful dribbles in Europe's top 5 leagues this season:
Jadon Sancho (BVB) 113
Marcus Thuram (Guingamp) 101
Jeff Reine-Adélaïde (Angers) 93
Federico Chiesa (Fiorentina) 79
Jonathan Ikone (Lille) 75
Ismael Bennacer (Empoli) 66
— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) June 3, 2019
Reine-Adelaide doesn’t regret signing for Arsenal when he did and giving it a go. He made friends for life, like Laurent Koscielny who took him under his wings. He learnt a lot, from Wenger, Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. It was a great experience going abroad so young, learning a new language, adapting to a new culture and discovering a new football. But he is certainly happier now at Angers and in Ligue 1 where he is finally fulfilling all his potential. How far can he go? That is a great question. Like when he was 15, a lot of people believe again that he can go all the way to the top.
Arsenal to finish in the top 4 – 7/5
