Nzonzi - 'I believe I can still play at a high level'
Nzonzi: 'I can still play at a high level'
- Published
Steven Nzonzi says he returned to Stoke because he wants to finish his playing career on a high at a place which holds such fond memories for him.
The 36-year-old midfielder played more than 100 games for the Potters between 2012 and 2015 before big-money moves to Sevilla and later Roma, while he spent the past four seasons playing in Qatar, Turkey and Iran before penning a one-year deal at the Bet365 Stadium in August.
He told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's been great to be back. I didn't expect to play here again, it was a surprise but I was very happy about it.
"It's one of the teams where I have enjoyed playing the most. I had a great time here so I'm very happy to be back.
"The first time I went to the stadium or the training ground it brings back so many memories and it's a great feeling. I only have good memories here."
Nzonzi came off the bench to help France win the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia but said he was "frustrated" with the standard of play in the Middle East and wanted to show what he could do in a top league before hanging up his boots.
He said: "I wanted to come back to Europe in a competitive league because I feel my body is still good and I believe I can still play at a high level. I believe I can still help the team.
"I had a couple of years in the Middle East and it was a good experience but I was a little frustrated. I wanted to finish on a better note, in a good team at a good level. I believe Stoke was the best place for me to do that."
Nzonzi came off the bench to a hero's reception in the 1-1 draw with Norwich last Saturday and, after being an unused sub in the 0-0 stalemate at Middlesbrough on Tuesday, will hope to be involved at Blackburn on Saturday - the club where he spent three years before first joining Stoke in 2012.
"It was an unbelievable feeling. I want to thank the fans who have always been great to me - one of the reasons I am back," he added.
" Hopefully I can put on some good performances when I get some more minutes."
