Kurt Zouma is focused on the now, but the Frenchman admitted that he will discuss his Chelsea future with Antonio Conte at the end of the season.
While Antonio Conte has led Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, Kurt Zouma has been a spectator. With his injury causing him to miss a large part of the season, the defender has failed to muster significant gametime since his return. As a result, he will discuss his future with the boss once the campaign draws to a close.
Speaking in an interview, Zouma refused to rule out anything. The defender is focused on his current situation, but he admits that a wider discussion will take place in the summer.
"I concentrate on the present with the squad…We’ll see [about my future] at the end of the season. But I’m really focused on Chelsea. I’m confident, I know I’m going to play. I know that.No, we haven’t talked about it. We’re really focused on our season, which has been very good. Everything else we’ll perhaps look at at the end of the season, but it’s not on the agenda for the moment. – via ESPNFC"
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Zouma has been caught up in an unfortunate situation. The Frenchman was on course to be one of the club’s main defenders this season. However, his knee injury against Manchester United in February last year delayed his progress.
The long recovery time meant that he was very much on the backburner when Conte arrived in the summer. The reacquisition of David Luiz happened, while the switch to the back three was also put in effect.
Zouma did not make a first team appearance until January, when he was finally deemed ready for a competitive senior contest. However, that remains one of only three starts that he has made since returning.
His lack of football is no doubt a concern to a player of such quality. Chelsea expected him to be a first-team regular this season, so sitting on the bench must be frustrating. Given the circumstances, Conte cannot be blamed, but Zouma is rightly keen to clear up his status in the summer.
At the age of 22, the Frenchman would walk into the defence of almost every Premier League side and even some of the major teams on the continent. In his few appearances this season, he has shown that the knee injury has had little lasting effect.
With Gary Cahill ageing by the day, Conte may very well view Zouma as a key player next season. However, if this is not the case, Zouma must look at alternative options to save a potential superstar career.