In a busy transfer January transfer window for Chelsea, it is understandable if the signing of AS Saint Etienne’s promising centre back Kurt Zouma for a fee of 12 million slipped under the radar for many fans due to the high profile signings of Mohammad Salah and Nemanja Matic.
Spending the remainder of the season on loan with St Etienne and despite becoming quite a notorious figure in France and Europe, the signing left many Chelsea fans asking: Who the hell is Kurt Zouma?
Even with the importance of signing Matic and Salah, Zouma could prove to be the most vital transfer of the three. The potential that Kurt Zouma has shown since bursting onto the seen at just the age of 16 is astronomical and Chelsea have done very well to secure the sought after Kurt Zouma amid reported interest from pretty much all of Europe’s elite.
Zouma has been likened to Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly, due to his French nationality and physical prowess. Zouma stands at 6ft 2, weighs 13 stone and at just 19 years of age, is known for his upper body strength and pace which are two key strengths for a defender in today’s modern game. Aerially dominant and good on the ball, Zouma has so far demonstrated the necessary qualities to develop into a top player at Chelsea.
However, Zouma does have his weaknesses. A player who has previously struggled with injuries, he is susceptible to spending time on the sidelines with problems that have previously slowed his development. Furthermore, Zouma is aggressive in the tackle, which some might consider a good thing, but means Zouma is a player often cautioned. In his short career, he has already been on the end of a ten match ban for a tackle which broke the leg and ankle of a opposing attacker.
Making his debut for St Etienne at the tender age of 16 after graduating from their youth academy, Zouma has been the keen interest for many of Europe’s top scouts. In Zouma’s first season, St Etienne felt it was best not to put his name on the back of his shirt, in an attempt to prevent hype surrounding the player. This didn’t last long however, as Zouma’s performances soon saw him become well known as a top talent throughout France.
Playing in a position which many consider to require vast experience, Zouma quickly adapted to elite level football and looked composed and comfortable straight from the offset. Zouma’s quick footballing development has seen him mature at an alarming rate, a trait many top clubs were attracted to. The plaudits did not stop for Zouma, so much so he was once described by Saint Etienne legend Rocheateau as the “jewel of the academy.”
Zouma spoke in January of Chelsea’s interest and said that one of the reasons he decided to join Chelsea was because of the phone call he received from Mourinho. Zouma said: “Mourinho called me, he clearly told me he wanted me, and I jumped at the chance. He called me at night, and he speaks French very well, I understood and responded but I had nothing prepared.” It is clear Mourinho’s famed man management was a major influence in Zouma’s decision to head to Stamford Bridge.
So what does the future hold for Zouma at Chelsea? With life after John Terry hard to imagine for many Chelsea fans, Zouma could well remedy the situation once Terry departs if he continues to develop at the rate he is currently doing so. The Frenchman has all the necessary traits and more to be a huge Chelsea player and having tied him down with a 5 year contract, we could well see Zouma fledge into a player that will be at the epicentre of Chelsea’s successes. Zouma’s potential is huge and Chelsea fans can be assured of a bright future defensively in Kurt Zouma.
