Youngster Kurt Zouma is having an excellent season at Chelsea FC and he revealed what he is really learning from legendary manager Jose Mourinho. Zouma has always had the physical tools necessary to succeed as a top defender in the Premier League.
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He has the height and size needed to win aerial duels and also has the pace and athleticism to keep up with quick forwards and attacking midfielders. This season he has been deployed against clubs like Liverpool who feature faster forwards like Raheem Sterling or Tottenham and Harry Kane. Where Gary Cahill was run ragged and left exposed, Zouma has excelled and kept those players in his pocket the entire match
Kurt Zouma on what he has learned from Jose Mourinho:
"‘To hate defeat. When you lose it’s out of bounds to continue as normal in the evening. When you play for Chelsea you must not accept losing. Mourinho puts pressure on all his players. He is very demanding and wants perfection.’‘In defense, he asks me to move tactically and to be well placed to listen to John (Terry) and Gary Cahill around me. Initially, I was obsessed with the ball and did not watch players behind me enough, but it’s something I’ve been working on.’"
In fact, Zouma has done so well that many fans have been calling for him to be the full time starter ahead of Cahill for the rest of the season and beyond. He certainly has the pedigree to do so and considering the fact that he is only 20 years old means he can still grow and improve. Unlike Gary Cahill who is 28 and will likely remain the same player he is now for the rest of his career.
His tactical awareness was one of the concerns Mourinho had for the youngster but he has shown faith in him after letting him learn from John Terry and Cahill. Dealing with the pressure of playing for Chelsea FC is also something that Zouma had to learn to deal with and he has done very well in that regard.
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Zouma has also shown off his versatility for Chelsea FC by being deployed in different positions. He covered for Nemanja Matic in central midfield in the League Cup Final and after some initial nerves and awkwardness, he excelled. Of course he did not provide the offensive threat that Matic does but that is not quite part of his game, at least not yet.
The Blues have a true gem in the young Frenchman and his career is truly taking off this season. He is being recognized by his national team manager Didier Deschamps and he is in line to become part of a dynamic center back duo with Raphael Varane. He is still young and has much room for growth and improvement but if Zouma is this good at 20, just imagine how much better he can and will be after a few more years under Jose Mourinho.
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