There are a lot of myths about Kurt Zouma, but statistics show he is a much better player than Chelsea supporters on the internet give him credit for.
There’s an age-long misconception about Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma and his technical ability, as well as other aspects of his game. While numbers don’t tell the full story, they do not lie, and they definitely do not support these misconceptions. Some of these opinions were formed as early as the Frenchman’s Stoke City days, and the holders have just out of sheer stubbornness refused to acknowledge that Zouma has come a long way from then. The fact of the matter is he’s improved his game tremendously. Returning from the kind of injury that Zouma returned from is not easy. Developing from that point is even more challenging because the centerback had to return to the level he was pre-injury before he could improve further. Zouma has done both remarkably and is now definitively one of the best defenders in England.
It may have been convenient to say Zouma is one of the players that fails the eye test and passes the numbers test, but he doesn’t even fail the eye test, that’s what makes these myths about him baffling. Fans have lauded players like Thiago Silva and even Antonio Rudiger, but refuse to give credit Zouma, even though the former Saint-Etienne man is putting up numbers on par with—and sometimes better—than Virgil van Dijk.
Perhaps it’s worth taking a look at some of these myths, and going as far as to disprove them:
Myth 1: “Zouma is not good on the ball, he can’t withstand pressure”
This is a popular one amongst the Zouma critics. Some say he can’t sort out his feet and that he’s awkward on the ball. Zouma has been Chelsea’s most used centerback since the beginning of last season, and there’s a reason for that. Last season, Andreas Christensen was Chelsea’s second most used centerback for Chelsea. Christensen averaged less passes per game (56.9) than Zouma (65.7). The Dane even completed less long balls per game (2.5), compared to Zouma’s (5.0). Zouma not only attempted more long balls per game, but completed more too, completing 56 percent of his attempts with Christensen completing 48 percent.
Only three centerbacks in the Premier League completed more long balls per game than Zouma last season; van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger and Conor Coady. Of those three, Zouma completed more passes per game than two of them, only Van Dijk completed more passes per game of this group. Zouma made more progressive passes per 90 (3.15) than the next most used centerback, Christensen (2.41), making up 4.2 percent of the Dane’s passes and 4.8 percent of the Frenchman’s.
So far this season, Zouma has completed the second most passes per game at Chelsea (67.9) behind Silva (79.8). He has completed the second most long balls per game for Chelsea (4.9), behind only Silva (5.6). Zouma ranks sixth for most passes per game in the league this campaign, but ranks fifth for most accurate long balls per game. Silva ranks second and third respectively.
Zouma has made 3.07 progressive passes per 90, ranking second amongst Blues centerbacks with nine or more appearances. This ranks behind only Silva’s (3.64), making up 4.5 percent of Zouma’s passes and 4.6 percent of Silva’s. It is worth noting that Silva makes 11.9 more passes per game than Zouma. These numbers clearly show that the arrival of Silva has made the Brazilian Chelsea’s best passer of the ball, with Zouma ranking second. This is not shameful for Zouma because Silva is an excellent passer of the ball. Interestingly approximately 7 percent of the centerbacks’ passes are accurate long balls. Clearly the two centerhalves complete the same proportion of long balls relative to their total passes, yet many rate Silva as being good on the ball and Zouma as being awkward and bad on the ball—it makes no sense.
As for the “he can’t withstand pressure” myth, Zouma made 8.15 passes under pressure per game last season, compared to Christensen’s 8.72 and Rudiger’s 9.74. These numbers would be heavily determined by which centerback is being pressed at any given point in the game. This year, Zouma has completed 6.27 passes under pressure. Silva? 5.0. No Chelsea centerback has made more passes under pressure per 90. Of course, this is heavily influenced by the fact that other defenders have barely taken to the field for the Blues in the league this season.
Myth 2: “Zouma has bad positioning and isn’t intelligent”
There are certainly statistics that indicate how good a player is position-wise; and yes, Zouma passes the eye test too. For one, a centerback’s primary position is occupying the central area of the defensive third. Interceptions, clearances and blocked shots are easier to rack up when in good positions.
In terms of shots blocked, Zouma ranked second last season amongst Chelsea’s back line. He blocked 0.5 shots per game, trailing only Cesar Azpilicueta, who averaged 0.6. This number would be heavily influenced by how many shots the team faces per game, and last season, Chelsea faced the third least amount of shots. Therefore, this number was predictably low. For comparison, amongst centerbacks with over 19 appearances last season, for Liverpool, van Dijk recorded the most blocks (0.4). Out of Chelsea players this season that have played at least nine appearances or more, Silva has made the most blocks (0.8), followed by Zouma (0.5). For comparison, amongst Liverpool players with the same number of appearances, Fabinho has the most shots blocked (0.3). For Manchester City, it’s Ruben Dias (0.9).
In terms of interceptions per game, Zouma led all Chelsea players—yes, all players—with 2.1 last season—joint with Jorginho. This season, Zouma has led all centerbacks with nine appearances or more in interceptions (1.3), joint with Silva. For comparison, van Dijk recorded 1.1 interceptions per game, and 1.0 this season, the different teams’ styles of play would factor into this, but those are the numbers. Now, how is Zouma leading the team in interceptions if he’s not intelligent? How would he intercept balls if he’s badly positioned? How is he blocking shots if he’s in the wrong place?
Clearances are another indication of good positioning. Disagree? Try making a clearance when you’ve been caught out of position in the middle third or on a cross that is whipped into the box. Zouma led the squad in clearances per game (4.0) last season outright. He has also led the team in the same statistical category this season. The only player who has more clearances in one game is Fikayo Tomori, and Tomori has only played 45 minutes of Premier League football this season.
3. Other myths
There are other non-facts being circulated that just don’t hold water, if you’re paying any attention. Some have claimed “Silva is babysitting Zouma” or “Silva has improved Zouma.” This is why the statistics highlighted in this piece spanned the beginning of last season and run through the current date—there’s nothing Zouma is doing now that he wasn’t doing last season. Zouma was Chelsea’s best centerback last season, and has shown that he still is this year. It’s no coincidence that the Frenchman kept his place in the starting line-up out of all the centerbacks who played last season. Silva did not improve Zouma’s positioning this season, Zouma has always been positionally excellent.
Since the start of last season, Zouma has made two errors leading to shots. For comparison, van Dijk made just one error leading to shot and two errors leading to goal, but one is branded as “error-prone”, guess who? Zouma had the ninth best average rating (6.92) among centerbacks with 19 appearances or more last season. This season so far, the 26-year-old has recorded the second highest rating in the league (7.23) amongst centerbacks with nine or more appearances. Silva? He doesn’t even make it into the top 10 this season, he’s ranked 17th.
Before you say “just watch him, you’d see what I mean!”, we’ve all watched him. We’re giving wrong evaluations of his ability, so now statistics have to be rolled out. There’s a reason why Chelsea has not recorded a win when Zouma was not on the pitch (West Brom and Aston Villa). These are the numbers.
All statistics are gotten from Fbref.com, SofaScore.com and WhoScored.com.