1. Steven Nkemboanza Mike Christopher Nzonzi was born on 15 December 1988 and is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Persian Gulf Pro League club Sepahan.
25 Facts About Steven Nzonzi
1. 2.
Steven Nzonzi joined Italian club Roma in 2018, where he played a season before being loaned to Galatasaray in Turkey and Rennes in France the following two seasons.
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Steven Nzonzi turned down the chance to represent his ancestral DR Congo at senior international level, and was unsuccessful in his attempt to become eligible to play for England.
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Steven Nzonzi later had one-year stints at both SM Caen and AS Beauvais Oise before finally settling in with Amiens SC in 2005.
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Steven Nzonzi was outstanding last year and the new deal is richly deserved.
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On 26 November 2011 against Stoke City, Steven Nzonzi was hit with a violent conduct charge for intentionally elbowing Ryan Shawcross in the face.
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Steven Nzonzi served a three-match ban after admitting an FA charge of violent conduct.
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However, after this his performances dropped off and assistant manager Mark Bowen advised Steven Nzonzi to stop his 'theatrical sulks'.
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Steven Nzonzi was sent-off in the return fixture against Sunderland on 29 January 2014.
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In June 2015, with Steven Nzonzi entering his final year on his contract, manager Mark Hughes tried to convince him to agree to sign a new contract.
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In total Steven Nzonzi spent three seasons at Stoke making 120 appearances scoring seven goals.
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Steven Nzonzi initially struggled with the immense heat in Andalusia, and a style of play based on retention of the ball and technical ability, but entered a period of good form in the second half of the season, culminating in Sevilla winning the UEFA Europa League final against Liverpool in Basel.
13.
Steven Nzonzi was voted La Liga Player of the Month for January 2017, with the league's website writing "Often to be found in the thick of the action, Nzonzi showcased his aptitude for regaining possession and distributing the play, qualities which have seen him establish himself as one of the first names on Sampaoli's team sheet".
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Steven Nzonzi earned his first call up to the France U-21 team by coach Erick Mombaerts on 1 October 2009 for their European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against Malta and Belgium.
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Steven Nzonzi did not rule out playing for the Congolese national team in the future.
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Steven Nzonzi again turned DR Congo down in November 2012.
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On 2 November 2017, Steven Nzonzi was called up to the French senior national team for the first time, for friendly matches against Germany and Wales.
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Steven Nzonzi was part of France's squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
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Steven Nzonzi plays in a defensive role in centre midfield and is noted for being calm and composed whilst in possession and having a good passing ability.
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Steven Nzonzi has earned comparisons to compatriot Patrick Vieira both in style and physical ability.
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Steven Nzonzi is able to cover great distance during a match.
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In September 2013, Steven Nzonzi was interviewed by police after he was involved in a collision with a cyclist in Hale, Greater Manchester.
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In October 2015, Steven Nzonzi was ordered to stand trial after allegedly assaulting his wife.
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Steven Nzonzi was cleared of the charges in December 2015.
25.
Steven Nzonzi started to date Turkish businesswomen Seda Parseker in 2019.