Kurt Zouma

[Vesper 30,100]

18 minutes ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

Zouma is like the Lukaku of centre-backs and that might even be disrespectful to Lukaku as the Belgian is actually a solid player and has an impressive scoring record. Zouma hasn't proven anything yet at the elite level in a top club and I'm not convinced he can. Rudiger can't come back soon enough. 

The Donkeybaka of CB's too

ironically all 3 were/are Chels lads

[Strike 7,477]

Tough day and should rightly be 4th choice this season. Tomori to get a chance next 

[MoroccanBlue 5,376]

Almost begs the question how he's a professional when he looks so awkward on the ball. 

[Atomiswave 6,117]

He was ok decent before the injury, but now nowhere near Chels quality. Mou and Conte always did say you need a good backline to have a go, we are pretty far away from that.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

He looks half the player that was playing regularly and then got injured aged 20/21. Never seen a player regress that much.  Not the only one to blame, but when I saw his face after that tackle I knew the game was lost, his facial expression was so full of horror and knowing that he had no right to be in that place. I have really been wrong about him, I thought he had matured on loan but he really has not developed at all as a player.

[robsblubot 3,595]

3 hours ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Almost begs the question how he's a professional when he looks so awkward on the ball. 

same question I ask about Bakayoko.

I think it's their physicality: it can only take you so far though. They are both super strong athletes, but really poor on the ball.

[Jase 43,479]

17 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

He looks half the player that was playing regularly and then got injured aged 20/21. Never seen a player regress that much.  Not the only one to blame, but when I saw his face after that tackle I knew the game was lost, his facial expression was so full of horror and knowing that he had no right to be in that place. I have really been wrong about him, I thought he had matured on loan but he really has not developed at all as a player.

Think Zouma will do well in a defensive system, just not in an attacking one. 

[Vesper 30,100]

19 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

He looks half the player that was playing regularly and then got injured aged 20/21. Never seen a player regress that much.  Not the only one to blame, but when I saw his face after that tackle I knew the game was lost, his facial expression was so full of horror and knowing that he had no right to be in that place. I have really been wrong about him, I thought he had matured on loan but he really has not developed at all as a player.

he is so so nice a guy, and I do NOT hate him at all (like I do that mug Alonso and especially the ultra twatish Cuntois) but he (so tragically) looks to be ruint by that injury (2nd of August 2015, so over 4 years ago now) on a perm basis, plus he never was all that great on the ball anyway.

He is perfect for mid level, hit and hope, park the bus brutal EPL style of a Burnley, Bournemouth, Palace, West Ham, even the Everton of the past 5, 10 years (they are trying to change that which is why it is puzzling they so desperately want him back), but simply is not up to par for a progressive, world class team (or one striving to reach that spot) He would never see the light of day on a Pep or Klopp or Poch or Simeone (he demands his CB's be GREAT on the ball) or Carlo Ancelotti team

[zzz2012 14]

11 hours ago, Antonio8 said:

ehm wait 

I mean 33 years old Cahill. Prime Cahill is twice the player Zouma could be. Zouma pretty much the same player 3, 4 years ago. Still very awkward on the ball, poor positioning. And he seemingly incapable of timing the jump, which led him to jump very high to compensate for it, that's the reason lead to his injury. Cahill right now might lost the pace but at least he would rather back down instead of giving away such a cheap penalty like yesterday. Even his ball playing is not as bad as Zouma, although its still average

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

He would maybe do ok in a deep defensive line but the way Frank is setting us up, he looks totally lost.

[Superblue 6,372]

15 hours ago, Jason said:

Think Zouma will do well in a defensive system, just not in an attacking one. 

 

23 minutes ago, Bosnian Blue said:

He would maybe do ok in a deep defensive line but the way Frank is setting us up, he looks totally lost.

This is exactly the problem for Zouma. What Chelsea fans remember is a promising centre back before his injury when he was under Mourinho's management and as a result was protected under a conservative manager. It is easily forgotten too that his run in the team coincided with the mid table season we had (not that I'm blaming Zouma for that).

His loan spell at Stoke went pretty well despite them getting relegated and he obviously had a good season last year at Everton but again he's not being expected to play in an expansive way with a high defensive line. The games I saw last year at Everton where he actually looked good were against big teams like Liverpool and United where they were sitting back and soaking up pressure. 

One trait Zouma had even before his injury was his positioning was always a weakness but he had an uncanny ability to get back extremely quickly and had one of the best recovery tackles I've probably ever seen but I do think he's lost some of his athleticism and acceleration after his injury and the more space in behind him the harder that recovery can become.

 

[LAM09 7,043]

Think Zouma will do well in a defensive system, just not in an attacking one. 

He certainly wasn't as suspect at Everton and they aren't exactly managed by a defensive coach.

[communicate 2,703]

Zouma problem is that he is a bit clumsy and on the ball he is just really poor. But we can remedy that with kova-kante midfield, two ball carrier in midfield mean we can minimize the amount of time that Zouma need to bring the ball forward. 

[Pizy 18,858]

Zouma is who Zouma has always been since his first spell in our team a few years ago. A physical powerhouse with very poor footballing ability and someone who panics under pressure (because he's not confident in said footballing ability).

Perfect for a perennial Europa League level club like Everton but not at all good enough technically for a top club like Chelsea. Ask yourself, would the likes of City or Liverpool even consider Zouma if he was available for a small fee? No chance.

He'll have solid games for us this season, don't get me wrong. But he'll be a David Luiz-like liability against the top sides. 

[Jase 43,479]

3 hours ago, LAM09 said:

20 hours ago, Jason said:

Think Zouma will do well in a defensive system, just not in an attacking one. 

He certainly wasn't as suspect at Everton and they aren't exactly managed by a defensive coach.

Doesn't mean he was great either and maybe, clubs like Everton are his level.