Ludovic Blas

Ludovic Régis Arsène Blas (born 31 December 1997) is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Rennes.

Club career

Guingamp

Blas arrived at Rambouillet FC at the age of 7. He already stood out from the crowd and was systematically outclassed. His trainer at the time already praised his dribbling skills and his vision of the game.

Following his father's professional transfer, Blas joined Montrouge FC, allowing him to travel the region and facilitate contacts with professional team scouts. He was thus spotted by several clubs, including Monaco and Guingamp. He went through all the stages of the Guingamp training during his first three years at the club before joining the professional group during the training camp of the 2015–16 season. Already under contract until 2020 with Guingamp, Blas signed for an additional season with the Armorican club on August 8, 2018.

Nantes

On 2 September 2019, Blas signed for Nantes on a five-year contract. On 31 October 2019 he scored his first goals under his new colors in the Coupe de France, against Paris FC (8–0), a historic victory of Nantes concluded by a double of Ludovic Blas, followed by his first goal in Ligue 1, ten days later against Saint-Etienne (3–2). In Nantes, he took a step forward in terms of progression. In his first year in 2019–20, he inserted himself to the squad by scoring 5 goals and making an assist in 24 games played as a midfielder. He exploded in 2020–21, his second season at Nantes, where he became one of the club's key players and played all 38 games of the season, with 11 goals and 4 assists. Despite his improving, Nantes had a difficult season endend competing play-outs against Toulouse. In the 2021–22 season, after 28 games played, 9 goals scored and 3 assists, he helped Nantes win the Coupe de France, scoring the winning goal in the final. At the start of the following season, he played in the french supercup 4–0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain, that took place at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel on 31 July 2022. On 8 September 2022 Blas made his debut in UEFA competitions, in a 2–1 win over the greek side Olympiacos. On 27 October he scored his first goal in UEFA Europa League against Qarabağ.

On 12 February 2023 Blas became Nantes's second top scorer in Ligue 1 in the 21st century (30), behind Emiliano Sala (42).

Rennes

On 5 July 2023, Blas joined fellow Ligue 1 side Rennes for a reported fee of €15 million.

International career

Born in France, Blas is of Martiniquais descent. He is a youth international for France, having played up to the France U20s.

Style of play

Blas is a technically gifted winger known for his close control in confined spaces and spell-binding skill in 1v1 situations. Despite standing at about 5’11, is capable of competing aerially.

During his spell at EA Guingamp under Jocelyn Gourvennec Blas was often played in midfield double pivots to organize the second phase of build-up and evade pressure in dangerous areas, he also played as wingback in Gourvennec's 5–3–2. Under Antoine Kombouaré, Blas played on the wing, in a midfield two and a midfield three, and behind the striker.

Due to his qualities he has been compared to Riyad Mahrez.

Career statistics

Honours

Guingamp
* Coupe de la Ligue runner-up: 2018–19

Nantes
* Coupe de France: 2021–22

France U19
* UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2016

Individual
* UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Blas, Ludovic
1997 births
Living people
Footballers from Colombes
Men's association football midfielders
French men's footballers
France men's youth international footballers
French people of Martiniquais descent
Ligue 1 players
Ligue 2 players
En Avant Guingamp players
FC Nantes players
Stade Rennais FC players
21st-century French sportsmen