Kurt Zouma at risk of being the perpetual odd-man-out at Chelsea
By George Perry
Kurt Zouma could only do so much to stave off Stoke City’s relegation. His stay at Stamford Bridge may not last through the summer, as he wants more than Chelsea have room to offer.
When a team shares the lead for conceding the most goals in a season, yet one of their best players is a centre-back, they are not long for their league. That was the situation for Stoke City and Kurt Zouma. Zouma is now back at Chelsea, and his future may have something in common with his former loan club: not being in the Premier League.
After making 32 league starts at Stoke, Zouma understandably does not want to spend next season as a substitute, with his starts limited to cups and the Europa League. And after a season where Stoke would have been even worse off without him, Zouma does not want another loan. Unfortunately, Chelsea do not have room for another centre-back to compete for the starting XI. They also demand more on-the-ball skills from their centre-backs than Zouma currently has.
Simply in terms of numbers, Kurt Zouma’s best hope would be for Antonio Conte to stay at Chelsea and keep the Blues in a three-man defence. He would then “only” have to compete with Cesar Azpilicueta for the place on the right side of the back line. However, unless Azpilicueta moves up to right wing-back (possible) or defensive midfield (also possible, but not likely if Tiemoue Bakayoko stays on form), no one is displacing him from the lineup. Even though Zouma has all the size and aerial prowess Azpilicueta lacks, Azpilicueta is far better on the ground and with his passing. Not to mention, Azpilicueta is the vice-captain and heartbeat of the team.
Among the centre-backs, Zouma would be up against Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. He will not challenge Cahill or Rudiger on the left, given his lack of left-footed and left-side abilities. He could challenge either Christensen or Cahill for the centre spot, but not both.
Zouma has not shown the positional versatility of most of Chelsea’s defenders. Cesar Azpilicueta can play centre-back, full-back on either side, right wing-back or defensive midfield. Gary Cahill can play on the left or centre of the back-line. Antonio Rudiger can play centre-back or left-back. Andreas Christensen and David Luiz can play central centre-back or defensive midfield. Zouma has played a few games in defensive midfield and right back, but he is not the ball-playing defender Chelsea demand to play out from the back. His balance between defensive skills and ball work is more like John Terry’s than any of the current crop.
Zouma’s best prospects at Chelsea would be if the Blues sold David Luiz, and Zouma took that role. Chelsea will need a full roster of players for the Europa League this season, which could be ideal for players otherwise on the fringe. Luiz’s only hope (he should have none) of remaining with the team is as a Europa League utility player.
But that role does not satisfy Zouma, nor should it. Zouma deserves what he wants: 30+ league starts, plus assorted cup and European appearances. Chelsea simply cannot offer him that. Nor would it be advisable for him to try to wait out Gary Cahill and David Luiz. By the end of next season, Matt Miazga will likely return from his final loan and Jake Clarke-Salter will be ready to fight his way in. Zouma will continuously be the odd-man-out, fighting for his place rather than defending it from the newcomers.
Next: Ruben Loftus-Cheek putting in performances even Chelsea will notice
Galatasaray are supposedly interested in Kurt Zouma, and they should be the first of many. Zouma is shaping up to be one of the players Chelsea accumulate “just in case,” and then they don’t quite know what to do with when “just in case” never happens. Hopefully (always with the hopefully) Chelsea will move smartly and considerately on Zouma so he can have the career he deserves.