Breton clubs are renowned for their player development. In the past it was the likes of Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, Sylvain Wiltord and Yoann Gourcuff, while more recently Eduardo Camavinga, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Matteo Guendouzi andJordan Veretout have emerged from the region.
Yet despite being surrounded by such a fertile breeding ground of footballing talent, Brest remained impotent. None of those players listed above were developed at the club, which for so long has been dwarfed by its bigger neighbours: Rennes, Nantes, even Lorient, and at times Guingamp.
Now though, having secured European football for the first time in their 75-year history, Brest are enjoying their moment in the sun.
In Brittany, Brest have always been the small club in the big pond; they…
