Romain Del Castillo: Brest’s Late-Blooming Star

Romain Del Castillo’s path to success has been a winding one. After coming up through Olympique Lyonnais’ youth system, the talented winger had to prove himself in Brittany before truly shining. It wasn’t until he joined Stade Brestois under manager Éric Roy that Del Castillo’s exceptional abilities came to the forefront.

Timing and environment play crucial roles in a player’s development. Del Castillo himself acknowledges the importance of confidence, stating that he now takes more risks with his dribbling and passing when the team is performing well.

The 2023-2024 season saw Del Castillo emerge as one of Ligue 1’s standout offensive players. He finished the campaign as Brest’s top contributor with an impressive tally of eight goals and eight assists. His success can be attributed to his versatility in attack, often serving as a link between midfield and forwards, whether operating on the wing or in central areas.

While teammates like Pierre-Lees Melou provide engine-like qualities in midfield, Del Castillo offers pace, flair, and the ability to drift across the front line. His improved finishing skills have made him an even more potent threat.

Although Del Castillo has excelled in Ligue 1, with four goals and three assists already this season, he is yet to make a significant impact in European competitions. Competition for playing time with Mama Baldé and Abdallah Sima has somewhat limited his minutes, but Del Castillo has responded by enhancing his teamwork and defensive contributions.