Overview
Jordan Veretout, born on March 1, 1993, in Ancenis, France, is a professional footballer primarily operating as a central midfielder. Standing at 1.76 meters, Veretout is right-footed and is recognized for his energy, tactical discipline, and proficiency in both defensive and offensive phases of play. His career has seen him feature prominently in France's Ligue 1 and Italy's Serie A, earning a reputation as a reliable and industrious presence in the middle of the park.
Position
Veretout typically plays as a central midfielder, often deployed in a box-to-box role or as a deep-lying playmaker. His versatility allows him to adapt to various midfield systems, whether as part of a double pivot or as a more advanced attacking midfielder. He excels at breaking up opposition play, distributing the ball effectively, and contributing to goal-scoring opportunities through his passing range and occasional late runs into the box. His ability to cover ground makes him a valuable asset in transitional play.
Identity
Veretout's footballing identity is characterized by his high work rate, technical proficiency, and leadership qualities. He is often described as a modern midfielder capable of influencing play across multiple thirds of the pitch. His tactical intelligence allows him to read the game, anticipate passes, and position himself effectively to win possession. Furthermore, Veretout has demonstrated composure and accuracy from the penalty spot throughout his career, becoming a designated taker for several of his clubs. His consistent performances have seen him called up to the France national team, reflecting his standing in European football.
Career path
Jordan Veretout's football journey began in the youth ranks of FC Nantes, where he developed into a first-team prospect. He progressed through the club's academy, making his senior debut for Nantes in 2011. During his tenure with Nantes, Veretout established himself as a key player, contributing to their promotion back to Ligue 1 in the 2012–13 season. He remained a central figure for Nantes for several seasons, accumulating significant experience in the French top flight.
Aston Villa (2015–2017)
In July 2015, Veretout made a move to England, joining Premier League side Aston Villa. The transfer, reported to be around £7 million, saw him embark on a new challenge in one of Europe's most competitive leagues [Transfermarkt]. His time at Villa was challenging, as the club suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2015–16 season. Veretout made 25 appearances in the Premier League during his solitary season with the club [Soccerway].
Loan spell at Saint-Étienne (2016–2017)
Following Aston Villa's relegation, Veretout returned to France on loan, joining AS Saint-Étienne for the 2016–17 season [Transfermarkt]. This move allowed him to regain form and regular playing time in Ligue 1. He made 43 appearances across all competitions for Saint-Étienne, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists, showcasing his improved attacking output and consistent midfield performances [Soccerway].
Fiorentina (2017–2019)
Veretout's impressive loan spell led to a permanent transfer to Italian Serie A club Fiorentina in July 2017 [Transfermarkt]. He quickly became an integral part of Fiorentina's midfield, known for his relentless energy, ball-winning ability, and proficiency from penalties. Over two seasons, he made 75 appearances for the Viola, scoring 15 goals, many of which came from the penalty spot [Soccerway].
Roma (2019–2022)
In July 2019, Veretout moved to AS Roma, initially on loan with an obligation to buy, for a reported fee of €16 million [Transfermarkt]. At Roma, he continued to excel, establishing himself as a first-choice midfielder. He was particularly prolific from the penalty spot during his time in the capital, registering 22 goals in 131 appearances for the club and playing a crucial role in their UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2022 [Soccerway].
Olympique Marseille (2022–present)
Veretout returned to France in August 2022, signing for Olympique Marseille [Transfermarkt]. At Marseille, he reunited with a Ligue 1 environment and immediately became a vital component of their midfield, continuing to demonstrate his consistent performances and experience in both domestic and European competitions.
Playing style
Jordan Veretout operates as a complete central midfielder, blending defensive solidity with offensive contributions. His playing style is characterized by a high volume of ground covered, tactical discipline, and a strong passing range. He exhibits excellent spatial awareness, allowing him to intercept passes and break up opposition attacks effectively. According to statistics from FBref, Veretout consistently ranks highly among midfielders for progressive passes and tackles won, highlighting his dual threat [FBref].
Defensively, Veretout is a tenacious ball-winner. He possesses good anticipation and timing in challenges, often recovering possession in crucial areas of the pitch. His work rate off the ball is significant, enabling him to press opponents and track back to support his defense. This aspect of his game makes him a valuable asset in teams that employ a high-pressing philosophy or require a resilient presence in midfield to protect the backline.
On the offensive side, Veretout contributes through his accurate passing and intelligent movement. He is adept at dictating the tempo of play, distributing the ball quickly to wide areas or playing through passes to attacking teammates. While not a primary goalscorer from open play, he has a keen eye for goal from set-pieces and, notably, from the penalty spot. His composure and technique from 12 yards have made him a reliable penalty taker throughout his career, significantly boosting his goal tally at clubs like Fiorentina and Roma.
Furthermore, Veretout's ability to carry the ball forward, transitioning defense into attack, is a key feature of his game. He often makes late runs into the box, offering an additional threat in attacking phases. His versatility allows him to play as a deep-lying midfielder, shielding the defense, or in a more advanced box-to-box role, supporting both defense and attack. He can be compared to midfielders like N'Golo Kanté for his tireless work rate and ball-winning ability, combined with a technical touch reminiscent of players like Jorginho in terms of passing and penalty-taking [FBref].
Achievements & honours
Jordan Veretout has accumulated several significant achievements and honours throughout his professional career, both at club level and individually.
His most notable club triumph came with AS Roma, where he played a pivotal role in their historic victory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. This marked a significant moment for both the player and the club, securing European silverware.
Veretout also contributed to FC Nantes' promotion to Ligue 1 during the 2012–13 season, helping his boyhood club return to the top flight of French football.
Individually, Veretout's consistent performances in Serie A earned him recognition as one of the league's most effective central midfielders, particularly during his spells at Fiorentina and Roma where his penalty-taking prowess became a notable trait.
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| FC Nantes | Ligue 2 (Promotion) | 2012–13 |
| AS Roma | UEFA Europa Conference League | 2021–22 |
International career
Jordan Veretout has represented France at various youth levels before making his senior international debut. He was a key member of the France U20 squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013 [FIFA]. This triumph highlighted his potential and marked him as a promising talent for the future of French football.
After consistent performances at club level, particularly in Serie A, Veretout received his first call-up to the senior France national team in August 2021. He made his debut on September 1, 2021, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina [FIFA]. As of May 2026, Veretout has earned 6 caps for the France national team. While he has yet to score for his country, his role has typically been that of a reliable midfield option, providing energy, defensive cover, and ball retention.
He has been part of Didier Deschamps' squads for various qualification matches and friendly fixtures, demonstrating his value as a squad player. Although he has not been a consistent starter, his selection underscores his continued relevance to the national team setup, offering a different profile of midfielder with his blend of physicality and technical ability. His experience in top European leagues makes him a valuable asset, particularly in managing game states and providing midfield stability when called upon.
What makes Jordan Veretout stand out
Jordan Veretout stands out primarily due to his exceptional engine and tactical versatility, which allow him to perform effectively in multiple midfield roles. His ability to cover significant ground, coupled with his tenacity in winning back possession, makes him a relentless force in the center of the pitch. This high work rate is complemented by his technical proficiency, particularly his accurate short and long passing, which helps maintain possession and initiate attacks.
Another distinguishing trait is his remarkable composure and accuracy from the penalty spot. Veretout has consistently been a designated penalty taker for his clubs, converting a high percentage of his attempts and providing a crucial goal-scoring avenue. This reliability under pressure is a testament to his mental fortitude and technical skill, setting him apart from many other midfielders who do not carry such a direct goal threat.
"Veretout is a modern midfielder who combines defensive aggression with precise passing. He's a true box-to-box player capable of influencing the game in both halves of the pitch."