Last season, Brest surprised everyone by exceeding expectations and finishing third in Ligue 1, securing their first ever qualification for European competition. However, this season has been a stark contrast for Les Pirates. They’ve struggled to replicate their previous form, experiencing a downturn in results, including a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and an unexpected Coupe de France exit against Dunkerque.
Consequently, Brest has dropped to ninth place in the league table, currently outside of the European qualification spots. Despite the team’s overall dip in performance, Edimilson Fernandes, the 28-year-old midfielder, has been a consistent presence in their midfield.
Born in Switzerland and with family ties to other professional footballers like Gelson Fernandes and Manuel Fernandes, Edimilson started his career at FC Sion. He quickly progressed, becoming a key player and winning the Swiss Cup in 2015. His early success led to a move to West Ham United.
Fernandes initially showed promise at West Ham, even earning praise from then-coach Slaven Bilić. However, his time in London became inconsistent, and he later moved to Fiorentina on loan, and then to Mainz in Germany. His period at Mainz was disrupted by injuries and illness, leading to loan spells at Arminia Bielefeld and Young Boys before he established himself as a regular player, even in central defense.
In the summer of 2024, Fernandes joined Brest on loan from Mainz. Seeking more consistent playing time, he moved to France and experienced Champions League football for the first time.
His start at Brest was challenging, marked by an own goal and some initial struggles to find his place in the team. However, an injury to Pierre Lees-Melou provided Fernandes with an opportunity to become a regular starter in midfield.
Since then, Fernandes has played consistently for Brest, especially in the Champions League and Ligue 1. While he has proven to be defensively solid, his contributions in attack have been less prominent. According to Brest On Air, a local podcast, Fernandes has been a reliable player, fulfilling a defensive role in midfield, but hasn’t necessarily stood out offensively, especially when compared to the player he replaced, Lees-Melou.
As Fernandes approaches 29, his future remains uncertain. With his contract at Mainz expiring in 2026 and the loan deal with Brest potentially ending, he is at a career crossroads. His next move will be crucial as he looks to continue his professional journey, possibly at his eighth club.