Antonio Conte surely is a magician! Exactly one year back, they were not even in the top half of the table and now the Blues are at the top of the Premier League table after 12 games. It’s only the first season of the Italian gaffer at Stamford Bridge and we can already feel his impact. Imagine what a force the Blues could become in near future as the former Juventus boss gets to have more time with the squad.
Reports claim that Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is wanted by Serie A giants Napoli as they seek cover for Kalidou Koulibaly. The young defender is closing in on a return to action after recovering from a horrific knee injury earlier this year. However, it seems that the Frenchman will find it hard to get playing time at Stamford Bridge considering how the current back-three of the Blues have fared of late.
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The Blues have not conceded a single goal in their last six Premier League games turning around the tables after a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of rivals Arsenal. Napoli will miss their key defender Koulibaly in January as he will be representing his nation Senegal in the African Cup of Nations and that is why they are after Zouma.
Well, Conte will be in a dilemma if Napoli really comes with a loan offer. The youngster is just back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and needs to be handled with care. Right now, Chelsea defence is doing so well and it is hard for Conte to offer him playing time in order to gain his match fitness back. So, if Napoli are willing to bring Zouma at the San Paolo on a six-month loan, that will be a hard offer for the Blues to reject.
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On the other hand, Zouma is the only young defender at Stamford Bridge right now. John Terry will turn 36 this December and is unlikely to remain at the club past this summer. The current back three David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill are 29, 27 and 30 now and there will be no real cover for them in Conte’s hand if he lets Zouma go.
Good form and bad form are parts of a player’s life and as soon as any of the current back-three falters, Zouma will get his chance. There will be FA Cup games also where Zouma can get playing time. The Frenchman remains a long-term prospect at Chelsea and needs to adapt to Conte’s philosophy in order to be successful in the long run. So, Chelsea must ensure that Zouma remains at the club.
