PROFILE | Gerzino Nyamsi: In demand and in form defender could be a Premier League summer target | OneFootball

This profile is taken from the 2022 GFFN 100, Get Football’s leading publication to be released at the end of the month, counting down French football’s 100 best players in 2022.

French centre-half Gerzino Nyamsi’s stock has risen markedly over the last year or so with Strasbourg. His efforts at the heart of coach Julien Stéphan’s back three were vital in ensuring Strasbourg kept their European dreams alive until the final day of last season. His absence due to injury this pre-season was felt as Strasbourg suffered a tough start to the Ligue 1 campaign, where they currently sit 19th after 15 games played.

Nyamsi, born in Brittany and of Cameroonian descent, came through the youth ranks under Stéphan at Rennes and was one of Stéphan’s first signings as Strasbourg coach. Nyamsi, aged 24 at the time, was struggling for game time in a Rennes side who were enjoying their debut Champions League campaign. In his first year and a half in Alsace, however, it’s clear to see what Stéphan saw in the centre-back who has repaid the trust shown in him by his manager.

Nyamsi is a tall, no-nonsense defender, who primarily operates as a right centre-back in a four or in the centre of a back three. At 192cm, he is a key man for both attacking and defensive set pieces, and it is clear that Strasbourg have highlighted him as the man to aim for from in such situations as he ranks in the top 8% of defenders for shots taken per 90 minutes over the last year.

This summer, with teams looking to poach Strasbourg’s talent and the Alsatian side hoping to balance the books post-COVID, it was reported that West Ham were interested in Nyamsi. However, nothing came of this and no concrete offer was ever submitted. The Hammers eventually opted for Morocco and Rennes’ defender Nayef Aguerd instead. Leeds United and Newcastle were also reported to be eyeing up a move for Strasbourg’s star centre half, but again, no offer was made. However, should his form of last season return in 2023, the coming off-season will likely see further interest.