Kurt Zouma in Stoke as Chelsea loan army fills the ranks
Kurt Zouma has been spotted in Stoke ahead of a medical as Chelsea continue to fill out the ranks of their expansive loan army.
Chelsea are still scrambling to find a replacement for the partying Diego Costa. However, that desperation has not halted the never-ending march of the loan army. Kurt Zouma has been spotted in Stoke on Monday morning as he undergoes a medical ahead of a loan switch.
Local publication, The Stoke Sentinel, report that the Frenchman is in the city to finalise a fairly lucrative loan deal.
"Kurt Zouma is today having a medical at Stoke City ahead of joining on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.The 22-year-old centre-back is being assessed after spending ninth [sic] months out with a knee injury. The Potters needing to dig deep in their pockets to cover even this loan deal, with figures of £7m covering a fee and wages being reported."
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The defender has suffered a fall from grace over the last year. While Chelsea bounced back from a disastrous 2015/16 campaign, Zouma is one player who did benefit from the success. He played regularly under Jose Mourinho until he injured his knee against Manchester United.
The long lay-off meant that he was on the sidelines as Antonio Conte revamped the attitude and tactics in West London. When he was fit again, there was simply no room or no reason to bring him into the starting fold.
Now, he is going to spend the season with Stoke City having been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have opted to bring in a new young defender (Antonio Rudiger) and perhaps lean on Andreas Christensen instead of utilising Zouma.
While this may be a personal disappointment, Zouma should look forward to what could be a successful season. Stoke are an established Premier League side and they are playing increasingly attractive football. Nonetheless, they pride themselves on a solid defence and Zouma will have a chance to prove his mettle.
If the Frenchman can embrace this opportunity and remind everyone of his talent, then his career will be back on track. Even if Chelsea do not want him in the long-run, Zouma will have suitors in Europe if he impresses appropriately.
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What do you think of the move? Is this the best option of Zouma at the moment? Let us know in the comments below!