http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/story?story*d=1682897&section=soccernetfrontpage

Zouma hints at summer Chelsea move

Mark Rodden

January 16, 2014

Saint Etienne defender Kurt Zouma has claimed that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho made contact with him last month.

Zouma, 19, is set to leave Saint-Etienne at the end of this season and has suggested that a move to Stamford Bridge could be on the cards.

“There was advanced contact last month,” Zouma told L’Equipe. “At the start I thought it was a joke but afterwards I quickly took his call seriously.

“When a great man like Jose Mourinho calls a little player like Kurt Zouma, it’s nice. It doesn’t happen every day and it’s a big sign of respect and confidence.”

The France under-21 international said Mourinho had made a big impression on him, adding: “If you tell me to go to Chelsea, I’ll go there immediately! Especially after the call from the coach. It’s given me ideas.”

Zouma is preparing to return to Ligue 1 action this weekend after serving a 10-game ban for a tackle that broke the leg of Sochaux’s Thomas Geurbert.

Under contract until 2017, the Under-20 World Cup winner says he has an agreement with Saint-Etienne that will allow him to leave this summer.

“I’m playing my third season in Ligue 1,” he said. “In June, it will be time to go and see how things happen elsewhere. Why not a step up in France? For me, Saint-Etienne are already a big club.

“But after that, the top teams are Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. It would be a good career plan. Abroad, it’s make or break. But it’s a risk worth taking.”

Monaco and Inter Milan are also interested in paying up to 12 million euros for the 6ft 3in centre-back, who says he will think carefully before deciding his next move.

“I won’t necessarily choose according to the league. It will depend on playing time and the state of mind of the coach and the squad.”

Edited January 17, 201412 yr by Guest

How good is he?

Not going to be pretend Ive seen him, but Mourinho usually has a good eye for defenders. Def going to try and catch some games from him.

If he were to sign I don't imagine he would be pushing for a first team place any time soon but with JT turning 34 next season I suppose the club need to think about defensive recruitment at some point soon. 

He is great on Football manager lol

Haha I always base players ability on Fifa. Which is kind of funny cause I remember signing Maiga whose at West Ham on it and he was phenomenal. See him in real life and I'm like ah Fifa got it wrong lol

He's a tank.

Zouma is preparing to return to Ligue 1 action this weekend after serving a 10-game ban for a tackle that broke the leg of Sochaux’s Thomas Geurbert.

 

 

Kurt Chopper Zouma

I signed him on fifa and hes quality. Not that is much to go by.

Kurt Chopper Zouma

Did he do it deliberately? If so 10 games is not enough

Did he do it deliberately? If so 10 games is not enough

 

No, if anything he wins the ball.

 

The guy he tackled was unlucky because Zouma's momentum meant he got his leg trapped which caused the break. 

Ah. If accidental then 10 games is very harsh lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN-QH6WJGHE

OUCH. <br /><br />Looked honest enough but he got tangled up and caught

I don't rate this guy!! You read the stats and st etienne win twice as often when he's not on the pitch. Stats don't mean everything but with defenders it's not about the skill they show its about holding position being solid and reliable and most of all stopping the opposition from scoring, exactly why terry and Cahill get chosen ahead of luiz. The worrying stats coupled with that horror challenge scream no!!! Find someone else. Maybe even get a left back (shaw??) allowing cesar to play in his natural spot and open up ivanovic to step across to cb from time to time. Also I see ivanovic as someone who can step into Terry's shoes, both as captain and the main man in defence.

Horror challenge?

 

I dont think it was even a foul

 

Overhyped and overrated really. Ofc he's very strong but I would prefer some other CBs if we're going to go for a young one.

 

Kenneth is better anyways. 

Edited January 20, 201412 yr by MANoWAR

I haven't see this guy play, but could he really be that much better than Ake or Omerou? If we are going to include a young cb in our first team I think guys from the youth team should be given a chance first.

If we're actually going to purchase him, I believe that the club is actually buying him for resale value. He seems like a good defender, but we have loads of young talent in that position and I don't think anyone will take the position of Terry or Cahill at the moment, and if anyone is challenging for the starting role it will be either Luiz or Ivan going back to CB.

Buying someone purely for resale value is stupid.

If we are interested it's because the scouts think he has the potential to contribute at Chelsea.

A man mountain for his age, but so was Duberry.

Get French Football ‏@GFN_France38m

The @le10sport claiming that Kurt Zouma has agreed a provisional contract with Chelsea. We are looking to confirm this. More to follow. #CFC

A number of sources are now saying that a provisional deal is in place.  Isn't he the lad who nearly snapped someone in two just before Christmas?