Reports abound many major news outlets including Sky Sports claim that St. Ettiene defender Kurt Zouma will join Chelsea FC on a £12.5 million pound transfer. The catch in the deal is that Zouma will remain with with St. Ettiene for the remainder of the 2013/14 season on loan from Chelsea. The 19 year old French international was in the starting eleven of the squad that won the 2013 U20 World Cup and has been tipped to become the senior national team’s center back for years to come.
Tweet from The Guardian regarding the potential transfer:
Chelsea set to sign Kurt Zouma for £12.5m but loan him back to St Etienne http://t.co/QtK2Myu7XP via @guardian
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) January 30, 2014
The signing of Zouma has some concerned about the future of John Terry at Chelsea and with good reason. Chelsea’s very own captain, leader, legend, is 33 years old and is out of contract at the end of the season. Terry has been playing his best football in years but the question remains how long can he maintain this form at his age. The concerns are overblown however because Chelsea could easily offer Terry an extension and still have room for Zouma in the squad. Also when you have the chance to sign a potentially world class center back for less than £15 million pounds you simply can not pass up the opportunity.
The great Chelsea sides have always had four recognized center backs and adding a talent like Zouma will only give Mourinho more flexibility and choice at the back. If this transfer does go through and Zouma ends up in London next year, the Chelsea defense will only be stronger and more formidable than it is now.
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