If recent reports are to be believed then it seems like one more defender will be joining John Terry and Ivanovic on their way out of Conte’s Chelsea soon. According to Italian news outlets, Napoli are plotting a move for Chelsea’s centre-back Kurt Zouma.
Zouma had suffered a horrific knee injury at the start of 2016 which saw him sidelined for almost a year. However, he is slowly making a return to the team and he might not be staying in England for long. During his lay-off, Chelsea has been a transformed team- many first team players are now on the bench, the back line appearance has been revamped and most importantly, Chelsea are back to winning ways.
Conte is looking at an overhaul in the squad, which will see many new faces over the next two seasons. It is pretty difficult to predict Conte’s plans for the Frenchman. The 22 years old has voiced his excitement upon returning and has claimed that he fits perfectly in the 3 man defence. But Chelsea are linked with a lot of defenders like Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe.
The Blues had rejected the advances of Schalke to take Zouma on a loan deal at the start of the current campaign and how far will this deal materialise is still to be seen.
The French defender, who was signed from Saint-Etienne, had been sidelined since February after injuring his ACL. Although Conte has stated in recent interviews that he is very much positive on him returning from a horrific injury, he has kept Zouma largely in the U-23s squad.
The France international has resumed training with the first team squad, but is being lined up to play for the Under-23s against Southampton on Monday afternoon instead of visiting Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough with the senior team.
It might also happen that the Italian boss is keeping the defender fit to dispose of him in the winter, a case similar to Bastian Schweinsteiger at Manchester United, only unsaid.
At 190cm, Zouma could be a very helpful defender where aerial threats are concerned and could actually fit the back three tactics if given time. His weakness in going into tackles and passing balls up front from the deep is a concern though.
The deal would more likley be a swoop for Kalidou Koulibaly if it at all happens, as Conte is a known admirer of the Senegal international. As for Zouma, he is still nascent and we think could really flourish under Conte.
