He plays well most of the time but also makes two or three crucial mistakes every game. Which is not acceptable for a defender. A player on his position that is not playing that well during the games but is lacking in mistakes department is better player than Zouma just because that's the essence of his role. You make mistake = you are not good. I sorry to say that because I really like him but we cannot tolerate mistakes that directe in goals in Arizabalaga's net because he plays well the other 88 + minutes. This is not how defense works in this sport. 

It's the same thing with Tomori tho. 

Edited October 7, 20196 yr by Droopy

7 hours ago, big blue said:

Maybe let ings get infront of him a little 2 easily, but he did actually make the tackle, it was just unlucky it came off ings and ended up the net. 

I still think the soton player got into the box way too easily, and Tomori didn't do enough to stop the cross. 

I wouldnt put much of the blame at zouma's door for that one personally.

Of course it’s not Zouma alone, as you say there was a few of them at fault for the goal but he’s yet again involved in a goal we concede. There was a ball in the second half where he completely misread the flight of it and it bounced over his head. I think it was Ings and fortunately Tomori held him up enough to let Kante get back and make the tackle.

36 minutes ago, Droopy said:

He plays well most of the time but also makes two or three crucial mistakes every game. Which is not acceptable for a defender. A player on his position that is not playing that well during the games but is lacking in mistakes department is better player than Zouma just because that's the essence of his role. You make mistake = you are not good. I sorry to say that because I really like him but we cannot tolerate mistakes that directe in goals in Arizabalaga's net because he plays well the other 88 + minutes. This is not how defense works in this sport. 

It's the same thing with Tomori tho. 

I agree with Zouma, it’s the same criticism of Luiz - you can’t get away with these brain farts at the top level. Tomori I think is harsh, he’s a young lad and had been rock solid until the last couple of games - small blips in form will happen. The international break has come at the perfect time for him.

Well, Luiz didn't make mistakes every game. Zouma does. That's why Luiz had the career Zouma could possibly only dream of. It's unfortunate but you can't make that many mistakes. 

Luiz has had a career because John Terry and then Thiago Silva consistently covered up for his awful defending. Zouma imo is a better defender than Luiz already and is still young and has time to improve. Jose always raved about his attitude, that is also in his corner.

Edited October 7, 20196 yr by Spiller86

4 hours ago, Droopy said:

Well, Luiz didn't make mistakes every game. Zouma does. That's why Luiz had the career Zouma could possibly only dream of. It's unfortunate but you can't make that many mistakes. 

This isn't exactly true, is it?

Not a massive fan of Zouma but he's been far better last two games. 

On 06/10/2019 at 16:37, Scott Harris said:

He's going through moments where he looks fine, but every game there is a few really poor mistakes in him. If you are going to make mistakes that cost your team a goal, then it cancels out the good parts of your performance. I can see why he is in the team, Lampard obviously prefers his strength and height compared to Christensen's slimmer frame, but I still feel that Christensen is the better option because he doesn't have as many Titus Bramble moments in his game.

I wouldn’t compare my most hated enemy to Mr Bumble!

He's improved his game since the international break. He still has a dodgy moment in him every game, like today when he burst out of the defence, lost the ball and left us exposed, but I'm not worrying as much as I was a few weeks ago. I would still have Rudiger back in the team as soon as he is ready, but if Zouma can keep the errors out of the game, I won't be as concerned about it as I was a few weeks ago.

Just now, Scott Harris said:

He's improved his game since the international break. He still has a dodgy moment in him every game, like today when he burst out of the defence, lost the ball and left us exposed, but I'm not worrying as much as I was a few weeks ago. I would still have Rudiger back in the team as soon as he is ready, but if Zouma can keep the errors out of the game, I won't be as concerned about it as I was a few weeks ago.

I don't know. It's still quite unsettling, the way he's playing. Tomori also been a bit iffy. It's a surprise the team's kept those clean sheets, tbh. 

They almost conceded from a set piece again today. 

I'm glad it's not as bad as previously but he's still looking quite shaky. Hoping to see him grow in confidence as the season goes on. 

4 minutes ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

I don't know. It's still quite unsettling, the way he's playing. Tomori also been a bit iffy. It's a surprise the team's kept those clean sheets, tbh. 

They almost conceded from a set piece again today. 

I'm glad it's not as bad as previously but he's still looking quite shaky. Hoping to see him grow in confidence as the season goes on. 

Yeah, he is still a concern, but I'm not having a panic attack as often when he's on the ball anymore. He's got a long way to go until I am completely comfortable with him, but I do think he has slightly improved.

Great performance by Zouma, together with Tomori.

Hes improving from game to game and I like to see that. Lampard has a lot of faith in him and seems like it's on the right way.

16 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

Yeah, he is still a concern, but I'm not having a panic attack as often when he's on the ball anymore. He's got a long way to go until I am completely comfortable with him, but I do think he has slightly improved.

 

16 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

I don't know. It's still quite unsettling, the way he's playing. Tomori also been a bit iffy. It's a surprise the team's kept those clean sheets, tbh. 

They almost conceded from a set piece again today. 

I'm glad it's not as bad as previously but he's still looking quite shaky. Hoping to see him grow in confidence as the season goes on. 

i think why sometime he looks awkward with the ball has to be his technique... where his foot finishes in front of his body with the weight also going forward.. this actually ensures he will hardly miss kick a ball.. i also think he has a decent first touch... where he struggles IMO are 

(1) Identifying the right pass... or moments when to break lines and advance.. i think this is something Frank is encouraging and certainly not what his manager at stoke or everton would have asked him to do.. As they grow into this system they will learn and better this aspect..  

(2) Gamesmanship and Aggression.. i think all are defenders are too "nice" and those small tugs a little push /poke strong word .. stronger than required shoulder tackle etc.. to make the striker think twice and intimidate them.. it is afterall a contact sport

(3) Positioning..   I think this is an area that both Tomori and Zouma need to work on.. the biggest error from Zouma was not when he ran into trouble but when sometime in the first half he failed to cover for a simple run behind him by being too far up the pitch and also too much distance from Tomori.. 

Is there a reason why Zouma jumps so early for headers? Is he just misreading the flight of the ball or is it just how he plays? He always seems to be coming back down before he's made contact with the ball from a header. 

It's strange to watch because it always looks like the ball is going to fly over his head.

7 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Is there a reason why Zouma jumps so early for headers? Is he just misreading the flight of the ball or is it just how he plays? He always seems to be coming back down before he's made contact with the ball from a header. 

It's strange to watch because it always looks like the ball is going to fly over his head.

That's an interesting observation, it might be good to compare his jumps to before his injury, there could be a mental thing there in that he wants to land safely so part of his focus might be taken away 

9 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Is there a reason why Zouma jumps so early for headers? Is he just misreading the flight of the ball or is it just how he plays? He always seems to be coming back down before he's made contact with the ball from a header. 

It's strange to watch because it always looks like the ball is going to fly over his head.

Ive noticed that too

3 minutes ago, Frankie8Lampard said:

Ive noticed that too

He's always done it. It's just poor timing, presumably due to misreading the speed and flight of the ball.

MOTM for me, he was a rock at the back in the first half. Unsung hero.

Thought he and Tomori had excellent games again. Kept Barnes and Rodriguez quiet until the latters wonder goal which wasn't down to them.

Seems like Lampards faith in Zouma is paying off. As of right now i don't think Rudiger walks back into the team when he's fit. They are playing too well for that.

Getting back to his pre injury levels under Jose...big player for us

Got to give credit where it's due, he has been rock solid in the last few games. 

I still maintain what I originally said about him though but if he keeps this up I'll be happy, both centrebacks were unfortunate to not have a cleansheet last game, two very rare goals you see in the game, the 2nd one very fortunate. 

 

How times change, a few years ago we had the slowest back line in the league with Terry, Cahill & Ivanovic and now we have 4 of the quickest CB's around.

We can absolutely suffocate the opposition who look to park the bus by playing an incredibly high line, with Tomori and Zouma as CB's Alonso can pretty much play as a Wingback even in a back 4.

 

Some words of encouragement and praise for the Hapster.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1197412/Chelsea-Frank-Lampard-Kurt-Zouma/amp

3 hours ago, GhostOfDembaBa said:

Some words of encouragement and praise for the Hapster.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1197412/Chelsea-Frank-Lampard-Kurt-Zouma/amp

I found another article too about Super Frank keeping Kurt in the team

 

Once again he was an absolute rock. Loving his form lately, make me eat those words Zouma, make me eat them until I become as fat as Jabba the hut.