He might’ve arrived in the Premier League as an unknown, but Steven N’Zonzi could potentially return as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
A fallout at Sevilla with boss Eduardo Berizzo has the left the future of the Frenchman in doubt, and it’s no surprise a return to England, the country where he first rose to prominence with Blackburn Rovers, seems a likely escape route.
“My future is clearly away from Seville. The only thing that disappoints me is the way it has ended, “ said N’Zonzi this past week, speaking with France Football, in an interview that has infuriated the powers that be at the Spanish club, adding further fuel to the fire that’s further burning his ties.
You can perhaps go back to the summer to identify the beginning of N’Zonzi’s troubles in Seville, when the player indicated to the club he would be open to leaving. Sevilla didn’t wish to entertain the idea despite having strong interest from Juventus, amongst others. N’Zonzi felt he’d reached a ceiling with Sevilla and it was time to move on, and experience something new. It was a summer of change at the Spanish club after all with a new coach, plus Sporting Director Monchi - who was a great admirer of the player - also leaving the club.
N’Zonzi would allude to such changes in the interview with France Football, citing how he wasn’t entirely convinced by the direction the club was heading in. Regardless, his football for the most part across the course of the season has been at a good level, and while not at the standard of what he’s been producing previously with Sevilla, he still had the appearance of one of Europe’s leading midfielders.
The 28-year-old is a calming, smooth presence in midfield, able to distribute when in possession and also break up opponent attacks without the ball. While not boasting excellent speed, N’Zonzi is clearly a wiser player these days, and has progressed considerably since passing through both Blackburn and Stoke. People perhaps underrated him with the latter especially, and his game has gone from strength to strength since leaving.
A UEFA Europa League win in 2015/2016, as well as place in the team of that respective tournament, underlined N’Zonzi’s emergence as a top level midfielder. Some might’ve been surprised, but those who had a trained eye on his performances in England were not in the slightest. He was also rewarded with a new deal in January 2017, signing up with Sevilla until 2020 and also bumping up a release clause that was tempting Europe’s big guns a little too much for the liking of the Spanish club.
- Steven N'Zonzi
N’Zonzi had come a long way from the player who had initial adaptation problems, found the Andalucian too much to bear at one point and also wasn’t on board with the trick, late Spanish meal times - a common gripe of new arrivals it must be said. Unai Emery stuck with him throughout that period, and Jorge Sampaoli also recognised the value of the player despite making major tweaks to Emery’s system. It’s with Berizzo things have fell off however, with the approach clearing rubbing N’Zonzi up the wrong way.
A flash point was a half-time incident against Liverpool, when Sevilla produced a stunning comeback to draw 3-3 after the break. There, N’Zonzi complained that Berizzo unfairly singled him out.
“The coach pointed the finger at me [at half-time of the Liverpool game]. I will not repeat it... but his words affected me,” insisted N’Zonzi this past week. Berizzo has a history of falling out with players and failing to find reconciliation. It appears almost for certain that there is no coming back.
N’Zonzi isn’t short of admirers, nor clubs that might not be interested now, but could be if they evaluate their midfield options. A high quality midfielder could well be on the market, and available for a price of €35-40m in an often ludicrous market. Juventus are looking more open than ever before in Serie A, seemingly requiring an injection of quality and authority in midfield. Their interest in N’Zonzi has apparently been the strongest to date, and it’s quite possible it could be reignited.
But it’s the Premier League that attracts N’Zonzi more, being that he knows the league and now with his elevated status could command a serious move. Everton have been mentioned and with Sam Allardyce at the helm, the man who brought him to England, it’s a convenient link. He’d improve a weak Everton midfield tenfold, adding physical and technical assets to their struggling team. It would be a coup too, given that N’Zonzi is probably angling for a move to a club challenging for the Champions League.
Jordan Henderson might be captain at Liverpool but it’s evident he lacks what is required to compete at the top when it matters. He’s missing in big games and N’Zonzi would provide the composure required in heated situations. Chelsea were also linked with the player, but a move for Danny Drinkwater from Leicester City put a cork in any more. Antonio Conte’s men are lacking quality though, and N’Zonzi would bring considerably more passing ability and intelligence to the midfield than Drinkwater, or the struggling Tiémoué Bakayoko.
Lastly, Arsenal have had their fair share of midfield problems and while they’ve got several options they don’t really have someone in N’Zonzi’s style. With the persistent injuries to Santi Cazorla and ineffectual performances of Granit Xhaka however, there could be a window of opportunity for N’Zonzi, who would allow Arsenal to build from the back better and also add some muscle into their attacking transitions, such is his ability to offer support.
N’Zonzi is heading for the exit door at Sevilla and when it opens clubs should already be waiting on his doorstep.
