Steven Nzonzi, new lord of middle earth

• Steven Nzonzi, loaned for six months by Roma, has carved out a place for himself at the Stade Rennais.
• Sober in the game, the world champion brings serenity to the collective of Julien Stéphan and frees the young Eduardo Camavinga.
• Steven Nzonzi will continue with Stade Rennais if his team finishes on the Ligue 1 podium. This requires a result at Bordeaux this Sunday.

A meter 96, a calm calm and a title of world champion. Upon his arrival in the locker room of Stade Rennais in February, Steven Nzonzi imposed his statute in spite of himself. At the heart of a very young squad, the former Roma player quickly established himself as a taulier. On the ground, Nzonzi has made Nzonzi. Short passes, careful reminders and management of the middle ground. Sober and discreet, the man has become in a few games one of the centerpieces of Stade Rennais by Julien Stéphan. “He merged into the collective in just one week. He talks to the oldest and the youngest, he laughs with everyone. You can feel it on the ground. He already has great connections with the players, ”says Edouard Mendy, his goalkeeper.

With his defensive profile, the midfielder has truly strengthened the workforce in his game management. Sunday, he annihilated a number of situations in Montpellier during the slap inflicted on the Hérault and allowed his team to manage the match quietly. “He is experienced, mature and has excellent knowledge of the job. It's a real number 6, a profile we didn't have. It's a real added value, ”recognizes his trainer Julien Stéphan.

"He sees many things before the others"

Its large size also allows it to shine in the air, relieving its defense on set pieces. Reassuring that the Rennais go to Bordeaux this Sunday to try to keep their place on the podium in Ligue 1. For two games, it is mainly his association with the prodigy Eduardo Camavinga which is scrutinized. “He is often the first raiser. He is very fair, he sees very quickly. He sees many things before the others. It is very complementary to Eduardo. It allows Eduardo to free himself a little more in the offensive field, "says Julien Stéphan. “Steven is a no frills player who plays above all for the collective. It is not a guy who will carry the ball but he is able to break the lines with his passes. I find their association very convincing, "says Ludovic Batelli, the coach who launched him in Ligue 2 in Amiens in 2008.

Nzonzi below and Camavinga above is beautiful

Eduardo Camavinga, who has been tough for a few weeks, is coming back very well. He had a little rest and especially the arrival of Steven Nzonzi allows him to be released from certain defensive tasks. He plays a little higher and gives volume to the middle of Rennes.

Loaned by Roma for six months after a failed experience at Galatassaray, Steven Nzonzi will extend his Rennes adventure by a year if his team manages to keep their place on the podium. We can think that the experience of the world champion could well allow the young Rennes team to cross this never reached milestone. “He is used to big events, big competitions. In the locker room, it is essential ”, insists Ludovic Batelli.

Within a month, Nzonzi imposed calm. His speeches, if they are rare, are listened to. Edouard Mendy confirms. "He is a world champion. It is the dream of every footballer ”. With its mixture of youth, experience and carefreeness, Rennes finds itself dreaming big. Big as Nzonzi.

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• As roma
• Aquitaine
• Reindeer
• Bordeaux
• Girondins de Bordeaux
• Julien Stéphan
• League 1
• Soccer
• Eduardo Camavinga
• Rennais Stadium
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