Steven NZONZI

On Friday 31st January 2020, Stade Rennais welcomed Steven Nzonzi from Roma on a 5-month loan with an option for an additional year. World Cup winner in 2018 with France, this central midfielder arrived to add some much-needed experience to a talented, but generally inexperienced squad. Nzonzi could also use this opportunity to strengthen his claim for selection for the upcoming European Championships. After just 7 appearances and a notable progression in performances, the season was called to a halt with Rennes finishing 3rd in the league. He loan-spell was thus automatically extended for an additional season. At the beginning of the 2020/2021 season, he quickly became an imposing first-choice midfielder, whether it was under the stewardship of Julian Stéphan or his successor, Bruno Génésio. As a key coordinator in the Rennes midfield, he would play 34 matches in the league as well as 5 appearances in the Champions League. His only goal of the season came on the 19th September 2020 against Monaco. He would form an effective duo with Camavinga at the heart of Rennes' build-up play, whilst consolidating the defensive shield. After a reasonably successful season, his loan finished with the end of the league calendar, where Rennes finished 6th in the table.