Stéphane MBIA

Stéphane M’Bia signed for Rennes in the Summer of 2003, after being developed at the Kadji Sports Academy, where Kameni and Eto’o also started out. Spotted whilst playing for Cameroon’s U17s, this powerful defender earned his stripes with the Reserve team before joining the First Team group under Bölöni in the 2004/2005 season. Given his first start at right-back, M’Bia progressively spent more time playing in central midfield alongside Didot, until 2007, and then Lemoine. Between 2006-2009 he was indispensable as the midfield general, and made the odd appearance in central defence under Dréossi and Lacombe, who believed him to be better in that role. This Cameroon player, with an unorthodox personality, had huge confidence in his own ability, and M’Bia thought he could score goals in every game. The international team-mate, and great friend of compatriot Eto’o joined Olympique Marseille for 12 Million Euros at the express request of Deschamps. M’Bia went on to win the league title there in 2010.