6 hours ago, robdog said:

Zouma has been called up by the French Nats - Kurt is still a viable option for Chelsea FC IMHO

Only reason he’s getting called up is becaus Deschamp refuses to call up Laporte.

56 minutes ago, EdinburghBlue said:

This still upsets me, I know you’re probably right and he’s never truly been the same since the knee injuries but he was a beast of a CB prior to that and I genuinely think he could have made it to the top if it wasn’t for that.

 

A bit like Van Ginkel I suppose, knee injuries are a right bastard for footballers.

Zouma has never really been any more than average ...  https://www.whoscored.com/Players/106086/History/Kurt-Zouma

He's far more Robert Huth and Frank Sinclair than he is a Terry, Carvalho, Gallas or Desailly ...

Personally, I think Kalas or Omeruo would have looked better than Kurt had they had the same opportunities for us ...

Do agree about Van Ginkel though. Such a shame ... but at least we have RLC kicking on now in a similar role ...

Edited March 14, 20197 yr by Sexyfootball

Zouma relied on his speed and strength rather than defensive ability so he was always one injury away from fading away into averageness. 

Rudiger relies on his speed and strength over defensive ability and made it back from knee injuries. No reason to say Kurt isn't the same.

15 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Rudiger relies on his speed and strength over defensive ability and made it back from knee injuries. No reason to say Kurt isn't the same.

Not to the same extent which is why he was less affected. Rudiger's concentration and reading of the game is much better than Zouma's ever was. Rudiger can also pass a ball.

21 minutes ago, Remodez said:

Not to the same extent which is why he was less affected. Rudiger's concentration and reading of the game is much better than Zouma's ever was. Rudiger can also pass a ball.

Zouma was great alongside JT, with the pace, strength and aerial ability to be a good 'stopper' centre-half who was limited on the ball. I don't know if he's regained his pace after his horrible knee injury, but he certainly doesn't look good enough for us at the moment.

Rudiger has been an excellent signing and has all the attributes of a top CH.

I remember Zouma receiving high praise for a number of impressive-looking last-ditch slide tackles in that disastrous 2015/16 season. 

Of course what was usually overlooked was that the tackle wouldn't have been necessary had his positioning been correct in the first place... 

Not saying Zouma deserves a place in the team but Rudiger ain't much better. Christensen should be having his place next to Luiz by now. Only rated so highly cus he shows passion. As defensively naive as Luiz.

I like zouma. My Everton supporting mate is desperate for them sign him. 

If we sign anyone in the summer, I would bring him him back. I dont really see a massive difference between him and rudiger if I'm honest. 

1 hour ago, big blue said:

I like zouma. My Everton supporting mate is desperate for them sign him. 

If we sign anyone in the summer, I would bring him him back. I dont really see a massive difference between him and rudiger if I'm honest. 

Hope he gets his wish!

Everton - mid-table and that's where I see Zouma to be honest - he's okay but  just not up to very top standard.

 

15 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Only reason he’s getting called up is becaus Deschamp refuses to call up Laporte.

What's the story there?

2 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

What's the story there?

Apparently Laporte is a bit of a prick. 

He's really outspoken, if he think you've done something wrong or aren't playing well he just tells you outright.... Which apparently is bad for the team morale. 

Deschamps doesn't get on with him on a personal level so just doesn't pick him. 

22 hours ago, robdog said:

Zouma has been called up by the French Nats - Kurt is still a viable option for Chelsea FC IMHO

A bit off top but not only Laporte being left out is shocking, Lacazette should be in that squad too. He has been brilliant this season.

13 minutes ago, ForeverCarefree said:

Apparently Laporte is a bit of a prick. 

He's really outspoken, if he think you've done something wrong or aren't playing well he just tells you outright.... Which apparently is bad for the team morale. 

Deschamps doesn't get on with him on a personal level so just doesn't pick him. 

I guess when you have an embarrassment of riches like Deschamps does, you can leave players out for reasons like that

2 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

I guess when you have an embarrassment of riches like Deschamps does, you can leave players out for reasons like that

Do they have an embarrassment of riches at CB though? Zouma and Kimpembe aren't exactly setting the world alight.

1 minute ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Do they have an embarrassment of riches at CB though? Zouma and Kimpembe aren't exactly setting the world alight.

Varane, Umtiti

Pavard is really a CB too, though he did play RB in the WC

24 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

I guess when you have an embarrassment of riches like Deschamps does, you can leave players out for reasons like that

The official line is that Deschamps doesn't want another left footed CB in the squad because he already has 2 (umtiti and Kimpembe I think).

Edited March 15, 20197 yr by DannyVblue

Kurt scores for The Toffees today

 

I'd have him back next season, still a bit raw but no worse than Luiz or Christensen. If he's ever going to make it again at Chelsea, has to be next season.

10 hours ago, icecoolguy22 said:

I'd have him back next season, still a bit raw but no worse than Luiz or Christensen. If he's ever going to make it again at Chelsea, has to be next season.

No thanks. If we want to continue to be this team that can play out from the back, then Zouma has no place in the team. He is one of the most awkward passers of the ball you will see. I also think he has been pretty poor for Everton since he arrived. Just like with us, he losses sight of the ball from set pieces, and it's happened on numerous occasions with Everton this season. He's part of the reason why they have conceded the most goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season. 

see everyone loves Kurt, but manure fans are pissed at Pogba showing affection to Kurt

 

I've alway thought that Kurt doesn't possess the technical ability to play in a Sarri team.  However recently reading about how Koulibaly was prone to mistakes and extremely shaky in possession during his first season at Napoli under Rafa, much like Zouma currently relying on his physical attributes rather than his footballing brain.  Now Sarri then transformed this 24 year old (same ages a Zouma now) into one of the best centre backs in the world, ironing out a lot of his flaws.  I'm not saying this is going to happen as I know all players are different, but maybe just maybe we have our very own £80m Koulibaly already in the squad.

 

A couple of articles here about Koulibaly's improvement under Sarri.  Quite interesting Sarri using Drones to help him improve his positioning.

https://blog.soccermanager.com/news/how-kalidou-koulibaly-has-improved-under-maurizio-sarri#.XNQGVC2ZO50

https://farfromvesuvius.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/kalidou-koulibaly-napolis-complete-defender/

 

 

I'd be surprised if we sold him. He might start the season with Rudiger.

Kurt scored for Les Bleus today.

 

 

Edited June 11, 20197 yr by robdog

How did he play other than the goal?