The talented Frenchman has rejoined former team Fnatic, but how exactly did we get to this point?
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this is ridiculous.
After one Split, yes JUST one, Fnatic’s star player and captain YellOwStaR has returned to the team after leaving for Team SoloMid (TSM).
Fnatic immediately leapt back to joint-favourites (3.75) for the EU Summer Split, while TSM remain second-favourites for the NA (3.80). So what exactly changed his mind? Let’s investigate.
Original Importance to Fnatic
The organic relationship between Fnatic and YellOwStaR before his departure cannot be overstated. He had been a member since January 2013, helping take the team to five titles in six European splits.
In the year before he left, he was the finest support player in Europe with a staggering 16.3 KDA – the next best being 6.1.
Then, in 2015, he followed it up with the award for EU LCS Summer Split MVP after leading Fnatic to a perfect season.
LoL was at their feet. But then they slipped up in the semi-finals at the 2015 Worlds to the unbeatable KOO Tigers. That’s when everything changed.
Departure to TSM
One thing that stands out is his ambition. Not just an eagerness to do well, but a thirst to be the best in the world.
At 24 years of age, there are plenty of his compatriots, peers and rivals who have called it a day at this stage and moved on. Not for YellOwStaR.
Although it seemed odd when he moved to TSM, his well-known ambition and desire for a new challenge may form some explanation.
It felt like the end of an era at Fnatic after the semi-final. So the player did what he thought best and staked his hand at the NA LCS scene.
It seemed like a match made in heaven; the cerebral, instinctive leader pairing up with DoubleLift, NA’s kill leader at the time, in the bottom lane at TSM. Very much ‘you attack and I’ll cover you’.
The grass isn’t greener
Life is full of risks, but the move to TSM was a bridge too far.
The team weren’t gelling – they stuttered and finished a disappointing sixth in the regular season.
There was a streak of the old anger and desire flaring up as the team fought on to reach the playoff final. Unfortunately they were cruelly denied in the final game by Counter Logic Gaming.
Despite only being six months into his TSM tenure, this was clearly the last straw for the team and their marquee name.
Some will say he should have stayed and fought harder, others will maintain it was the right decision to recognise a bad choice when it’s been made and cut your losses early.
Either way, the worst kept secret in LoL history came to be a month later and the player ‘came home’ by re-joining Fnatic.
The Future for Fnatic
So what now? Fnatic struggled during YellOwStaR’s departure as star top-laner Huni and power partner Reignover left at the same time.
His return puts the trio of him, Rekkles and Febvien back together.
This may be a strong reason for why Fnatic are joint-favourites for the EU Summer Split.
As for the rest of the roster, it seems likely the man of the moment will stay and help nurture the next generation of talent.
For Fnatic fans, the future’s bright – the future’s black and orange.
How do you think Fnatic and TSM will do in the LCS Summer Split? Let us know your thoughts @BetwayeSports today!
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