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Bocanegra signs with Rennes

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U.S. national team defender Carlos Bocanegra has signed with French club Rennes on a free transfer. The former MLS standout has signed a three-year deal with his new club after letting his contract expire with Fulham.

The 29-year-old defender joins a Rennes club that finished tied for fifth in Ligue 1 during the 2007/2008 season, just two points out of a UEFA Cup spot.

Is it a good move? I would say so. Ligue 1 is a very competitive league that has produced a steady stream of top-flight attacking players so Bocanegra will be tested on a regular basis. He should be able to step in and start for a Rennes team that is always near the top of the standings.

What do you think of the move? Share your thoughts below?

Comments

  1. Right, the French league is so great & competative that Lyon has won the title 7 years in a row from 2002- 2008 essentially murdering the competition. Its on the same level as the Scottish league, and no top level player in their prime would choose to play in the French league. Kinda pathetic that Fulham is the best team Bocanegra will ever play for. But I never saw much talent in him to begin with.

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  2. Fez

    Really stupid and mean spirited comments. Ligue 1 is an excellent league. They have had some excellent runs in UEFA and the Champions league.

    Boca is 29 and no where close to be ready to retire. He is a solid professional and a lot of his problems in the last year were caused by the 2 of the back 4 being horrible. (Baird, Stefanovic, Hughes etc.) They would any one look less then stellar.

    Good luck Boca- you are a class act a very solid professinal and there was an outpouring of sorrow at your departure from the Fulham faithful. You are already missed.

    Fez- you are a typical internet idiot who hides behind your keyboard.

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  3. Crappy Team in a Crappy League, but its still 100X Better than MLS & its not like Bocanegra could do any better. Next step for him is RETIREMENT

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  4. Its funny I read something the other day about how some guy thought Sacha would do well in Ligue 1 and I was thinking, do we have any American players in France? I guess this answers my question! Great move in my opinion….

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  5. The quality of play in Ligue 1 is very high, and the technical standard far exceeds MLS, so definitely an excellent transition for Bocanegra.

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  6. My girlfriend is from Bretagne and went to college in Rennes. I thought it was a lovely town–the city center is closed to vehicular traffic–and it’s a good footballing environment. Rennes finished top-four a couple of years ago, and if that team gets only a little better they’ll be playing UEFA Cup, which Boca would never do as long as he’s with Fulham. UEFA gives you exposure to diff. countries and playing styles, which in turn makes Boca a more viable candidate for future national team callups. What’s not to like in this move?

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  7. Well, regardless of how it works out for his career, two things are certain:

    he will be eating a lot better and his girl friends are going to be a lot better looking! Way to go Carlos!

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  8. Love this move. I love the idea of players being exposed to different styles of play. It can only help him to get more used to players who run at you and try to turn you around with the ball – Boca was exposed by Argentina on their goal in that exact way. It may even help his touch and ability to link up in the offense every once in a while.

    BTW – MiamiA: Ligue 1 is so much better than MLS it’s insulting to say they’re “on par”. I love my Red Bulls, but MLS is not a good league yet.

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  9. good move. people need to remember that more then one or two good clubs exist in France, Belgium, Portugal, etc. I like this move a lot.

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  10. And that is why you’re not paid to be involved in the game, Kartik. He is a fine CB/LB and will do well in Ligue 1

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  11. He’s no longer with Fulham.

    Rennes is a club that plays to win and is always near the top of the table.

    With Bocanegra’s seeming propensity for mental errors on the pitch like bad back passes and being out of position, I honestly don’t think he’ll last in the first team over a few matches.

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  12. A defenite step up from Fulham, but the club has alot of has beens (Bruno Cheyrou?, Moreira) Bretagne is also a really nice area of france only second to cote d’zur.

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  13. It’s actually a fantastic move. The USMNT players need to be exposed to styles of play besides the EPL, MLS, and Germany – especially league that showcase technical ability before physical ability.

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  14. Very glad he isn’t coming home yet, although I was curious if he was going to pick up a deal for the remainder of the season since he’s pretty fresh from so little action, but I’m glad he didn’t need MLS to audition for a real gig.

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  15. Playing time, playing time, playing time. That’s the only real concern, if you ask me. If this is really a move that will put him in the starting spot on a regular basis, then it’s good for him and for the USMNT.

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  16. Thats a no brainer on a free transfer for Rennes. I like the French league. Its on par with MLS and low EPL. Bocanegra is a good player with experience that still has an upside, if used in the right way. Plus he adds to that with his scoring on set pieces. Nice move for everybody.

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  17. Jim–I agree the France is a step down from England, but I’m not so sure Rennes is a step down from Fulham.

    Time will tell, but I think it’s a decent move for him.

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  18. I see it a little differently. As a keeper or a defender wouldn’t you want to be on a weaker team, so you have more chances to work on your game. I mean, if you’re a keeper and only getting one or two saves a game, how does that help you? The same could be said for a defender. Just kidding, mostly, but there is a valid point there, I think. I think it’s a good move for Bocanegra. As other posters said, the most important thing is to be with a team where you are playing regularly rather than riding the pines.

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  19. I agree with Jim. This is a step down. Usually people go from Ligue 1 to a bigger league, not the other way around.

    But hey, if he’s cool with it, good for him.

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  20. Not thrilled since he won’t be on TV as much and it is a step down a tier from the EPL but as long as he gets playing time then good for him.

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  21. French football features alot of fast attacking players, including a high number of Africans with speed to burn. I think Boca will do well, but might be exposed with the speed factor.

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  22. And to think some people actually thought he would or should come back to MLS.

    I don’t know diddly about Rennes (yet), but unless they’re a Ligue 1 celler dweller, this is a good move for a guy who is still getting competition for a 1st string spot on the NT.

    There was no way he was coming back to MLS unless it was a last option.

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  23. I say it’s great news for Boca and the USMNT. Our players need to get over the EPL obsession (although it does get you on TV back home more often) and go to the best teams they can. If I’m not mistaken there are more yanks in leagues across europe than Brits, which bodes well for the future.

    Now if Benny F would just follow this advice…

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  24. Is it a better move than going to a bottom feeder EPL club? Yes. However should another USMNT centerback make it to one of the top leagues (with the exception of Gooch) and perform well one would think that Boca’s starting USMNT spot is up for grabs. France is an excellent country to live in and when I was there the people were so kind (please note I am not being sarcastic here). He will need to learn French b/c although many people can speak English they perfer French. You would have to think that starting in the French league is better that riding pine in the EPL.

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  25. I was hoping the Galaxy would be able to do something with him, but this is a much better situation for the player and our national team.

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  26. Just glad that he’s staying in a league that will provide a level of competition that keeps him ready for 2010.

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  27. I’ll take it. Rennes are a competitive club and their top flight status should be secure for years to come. I think it’s a good move.

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