Chelsea opinion: Sarri should not sell Kurt Zouma at any cost

According to a report from the Sun (h/t the Times), Everton have told Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma that they want to sign the Frenchman on a permanent deal in the summer.

Zouma joined the Toffees on a season-long loan deal from Maurizio Sarri’s side where he has failed to cement a place for himself over the years.

Zouma has been incredibly solid for Everton so far this season and has formed a solid partnership with Michael Keane in the heart of their defence. Signing Zouma on a permanent deal in the summer would be a huge statement of intent from the Toffees and would benefit them massively.

However, Chelsea would be foolish to let him leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, especially with a transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA. The Blues will be unable to bring in reinforcements in the next two transfer windows and will need all the help they can get.

In their current squad, Chelsea have Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Gary Cahill and the young Ethan Ampadu as their centre-halves. Cesar Azpilicueta has been used in the heart of defence before but under Sarri, the Spaniard has returned to his natural right-back role.

Gary Cahill and David Luiz have been Chelsea’s stalwarts at the back for a number of years now but the duo is well into thirties and needs to be replaced. Ethan Ampadu, at just 18 years of age, lacks the experience to be a regular at Stamford Bridge despite his incredible talent.

This leaves the Blues with just Rudiger and Christensen who are brilliant options at the back. But they will struggle to hold the fort throughout a lengthy season.

The Blues would be incredibly smart in bringing back Kurt Zouma, a player who was expected by many to be club legend John Terry’s replacement.

Zouma has featured in 25 games for the Toffees so far this season and has been a dominant presence in the box. Zouma has won more interceptions, more aerial duels and boasts of very similar tackling and blocking statistics as compared to David Luiz and Rudiger. (WhoScored)

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Conclusion

The monstrous Frenchman might not fit all the boxes to play a prominent role at club of Chelsea’s stature but with the Blues short on options, he would be a fine backup for their current set of central defenders.

Chelsea should reject any offer from Everton for the French powerhouse in the summer and give him another chance at Stamford Bridge.