Transfer news: Steven Nzonzi happy to have stayed at Stoke

Steven Nzonzi claims to be happy at Stoke City following another summer of speculation surrounding his future.

The 25-year-old midfielder has spent the last two years at the Britannia Stadium, but has seen each passing window bring a fresh round of rumours.

Nzonzi has fanned the flames by pushing for a switch, with a second transfer request tabled in May.

Stoke have, however, refused to move in their stance that the former Blackburn Rovers man is not for sale.

Nzonzi is prepared to accept that decision and says he remains fully committed to the collective cause.

He said in The Sentinel: “Of course I’m enjoying myself at Stoke. We have a good team and good players.

“It’s still early in the season and I’m sure we will enjoy it more over the next few months. I certainly hope so.

“What happened in the summer is not important. I’m very happy to stay at Stoke, very happy with my team-mates and the fans are really good. That’s all that matters.”

Of more immediate concern to Nzonzi is helping Stoke to build on their impressive start to the season on the road, as they prepare to face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, with showings away from home helping to gloss over back-to-back defeats at the hands of Aston Villa and Leicester City in front of their own supporters.

He added: “When you play at home you expect to win and play better than when you are away.

“You are desperate to win, especially in front of our own fans, so it’s frustrating.

“A good performance is all well and good, but that’s not enough. It’s hard mentally when you know the team play well enough to win but you lose.

“But we have confidence we can come back stronger. It’s still early in the season.”