That's the guy, currently serving a 10-match ban I believe.

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? 

Yes but if you watch a video of the challenge you will realise a 10 game ban is overly harsh. If I had been watching that live and he was one of our players I would be cheering at what a 'cracking' (no pun) challenge it was.

Yes but if you watch a video of the challenge you will realise a 10 game ban is overly harsh. If I had been watching that live and he was one of our players I would be cheering at what a 'cracking' (no pun) challenge it was.

<br /><br />Wasn't judging him for it. Was just wondering if it was the same lad. Don't recall ever seeing him play so nothing to base an opinion on.<br /><br />It would be nice to sign a young centre half who shows the potential to be JT's long term replacement. I can see another full season out of JT before his game time starts to reduce. Planned transition would be ideal.

The source isn't good and even so they only say we've agreed contract terms with the player, not a deal with St Etienne.

Kurt Zouma left out of St Ettiene squad. Possibly meaning that he is going to Chelsea. Seems likely. #cfc

Kurt Zouma left out of St Ettiene squad. Possibly meaning that he is going to Chelsea. Seems likely. #cfc

 

Just about to post this you beat me to it.

 

Maybe Luiz off in the summer? Even though i dont want him too.

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by jack_super_class

Not hearing good things about this guy tbh. 

Not hearing good things about this guy tbh. 

 

What did you hear?

We have Kalas who can play CB or RB, why spunk more money when we have millions of players in the academy and out on loan who could do a job.

Whos better Zouma or Balanta?

He's a quality CB with great potential, similar to what Varane was like a few seasons ago IMO. Admittedly, I have only watched 4-5 games of his but that was enough to show me he is a quality defender - better paying 10m or whatever than being extorted by Porto for Mangala. 

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by Gambrinous

Zouma is extremely overrated. He isn't any special at all. I'm sooooo baffled about all the hype about him- everyone swears he's going to be a beast of a cb/DM heck des champs says a certainly a future French captain. But I haven't seen it in and I must've seen at least a dozen of games he's played in for France u20s and st etienne. 

 

Terrible player. Leg breaker at the age of 19- shows how good his decision making is and how his 'superior physic' as good way too far into his head. Would love it if you sign him so you can actually ruin his career.

 

This is why I'm uncertain he'll get to the top. Imposing physique is easily the worst compliment to give a player at his age as all it means is that he was bigger than everyone else coming up through the ranks but at the top level majority are beastly and thus imposing physique will easily be neutralised. 

 

@Lane ^ some of the comments

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by MANoWAR

Zouma is extremely overrated. He isn't any special at all. I'm sooooo baffled about all the hype about him- everyone swears he's going to be a beast of a cb/DM heck des champs says a certainly a future French captain. But I haven't seen it in and I must've seen at least a dozen of games he's played in for France u20s and st etienne. 

 

Terrible player. Leg breaker at the age of 19- shows how good his decision making is and how his 'superior physic' as good way too far into his head. Would love it if you sign him so you can actually ruin his career.

 

This is why I'm uncertain he'll get to the top. Imposing physique is easily the worst compliment to give a player at his age as all it means is that he was bigger than everyone else coming up through the ranks but at the top level majority are beastly and thus imposing physique will easily be neutralised. 

 

@Lane ^ some of the comments

 

I didn't think the tackle was that bad.

I didn't think the tackle was that bad.

 

As i said before in this thread, i dont think its even a yellow.

Nothing wrong with that challenge at all, god knows why he was given a 10 match ban for it.

Rightly or wrongly he was listed in the Guardians top 10 young players in Europe.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jan/19/next-10-big-things-europes-top-youngsters

Nothing wrong with that challenge at all, god knows why he was given a 10 match ban for it.

 

Because the injury was horrific.

Because the injury was horrific.

It was a bit clumsy but not malicious in any way, the injury was unfortunte. Oviedo brokw his leg today in an awkward challenge, should there be a 10 match ban for that?

It was a bit clumsy but not malicious in any way, the injury was unfortunte. Oviedo brokw his leg today in an awkward challenge, should there be a 10 match ban for that?

 

Dude, I agree with you. Anyone with half a brain knows you shouldnt judge a tackle by the resulting injuries.

Just seen the tackle. very tough tackle but certainly not horrific.  Terrible injury and you have to feel sorry for the bloke on the receiving end of it but, for me, that isn't even a red card let alone lengthy ban.  Just one of those unfortunate things that can happen in football.

Dude, I agree with you. Anyone with half a brain knows you shouldnt judge a tackle by the resulting injuries.

Ah right sorry, misunderstood your point.

Just seen the tackle. very tough tackle but certainly not horrific. Terrible injury and you have to feel sorry for the bloke on the receiving end of it but, for me, that isn't even a red card let alone lengthy ban. Just one of those unfortunate things that can happen in football.

Just another step towards non contact football.

with broken legs i just think most refs assume its use of overly excessive force, which is a red card offence

We have Kalas who can play CB or RB, why spunk more money when we have millions of players in the academy and out on loan who could do a job.

Because they arent good enough. I am not overly keen on neglecting our biggest areas of need just because we might have acadamy players who can "do a job". Thats why united are in trouble, because they tried relying on acadamy players like Cleverly, Welbeck and Evans realising too laye that they are infact sh*t.

Edited January 25, 201412 yr by Xfaxtor

Because they arent good enough. I am not overly keen on neglecting our biggest areas of need just because we might have acadamy players who can "do a job". Thats why united are in trouble, because they tried relying on acadamy players like Cleverly, Welbeck and Evans realising too laye that they are infact sh*t.

 

How can you tell if they are good enough or not if they never get a chance to prove themselves?