2018/19 Kurt Zouma

[Nymzee]

There is no chance whatsoever Zouma is anywhere near 3rd or 4th choice mate. Rudiger, Luiz and Christenses are all ahead of him. It's hard to say Azpilucueta playing much more at right back for legs and will likely move inside. He is behind them.

After that you have returning loanees/young players such as Tomori, Baker and even Chalobolah who may all be in front of him given Lampards priorities.

I don't think it's a case of Hector being ahead of Zouma (or Kalas for that matter) more just if they require a lad to be 5th choice and provide a bit of experience over say the younger players, I suspect they will use one of those lads over Zouma. That's essentially who he is in competition with at Chelsea. They won't get 30 million for the other 2 though. If they are concerned over numbers, they will cancel a loan deal before they cancel a big money transfer.

I actually think Lampard will move up Tomori and possibly the lad playing next to him at under 21's.

We don’t have a clue which centre-backs will be ahead of others till a new manager is appointed mate.

 

[GwladysBlue]

I think we’ll see him back here. The fact that a price is being talked about suggests that Chelsea are at least considering it.

 

[meagher94]

There is no chance whatsoever Zouma is anywhere near 3rd or 4th choice mate. Rudiger, Luiz and Christenses are all ahead of him. It's hard to say Azpilucueta playing much more at right back for legs and will likely move inside. He is behind them.

After that you have returning loanees/young players such as Tomori, Baker and even Chalobolah who may all be in front of him given Lampards priorities.

I don't think it's a case of Hector being ahead of Zouma (or Kalas for that matter) more just if they require a lad to be 5th choice and provide a bit of experience over say the younger players, I suspect they will use one of those lads over Zouma. That's essentially who he is in competition with at Chelsea. They won't get 30 million for the other 2 though. If they are concerned over numbers, they will cancel a loan deal before they cancel a big money transfer.

I actually think Lampard will move up Tomori and possibly the lad playing next to him at under 21's.

They do have a ton of options there, but Rudiger is going to miss the start of the season through injury I think, and a lot of Chelsea fans are now calling for Zouma to be given a chance, which Lampard might pander to when he gets there. Or Lampard might just rate him. Luiz is 30 now and Christensen doesn’t seem very consistent.

 

[catcherintherye]

We don’t have a clue which centre-backs will be ahead of others till a new manager is appointed mate.

No we don't. However we can have a reasonably educated guess. Rudiger and Luiz will be first choice as they've remained their and Christensen/Azpilucueta will likely be ahead of him as they are still there. Would be a big call to shunt Zouma up ahead of two seasoned pro's who they haven't got a buyer lined up for.

Then of the younger players it's likely he will want to promote youth, particularly Tomori.

What we can say with certainty though, is that Chelsea run as a business and buy and sell astutely. We can also say, increasingly they make transfer decisions above the consideration of the manager. Zoom has been loaned out permanently over the last few years. They have finally got to a point where someone wants him and is willing and able to pay a big fee. They will desperately want to move him on.

If Lampard really puts his foot down, then potentially it could be reversed (though it often isn't for other managers). Looking at Lampard, and his desire to bring in younger players I can't imagine he will want to keep a lad who is 5th choice (currently) and very unhappy and go so far against his clubs wishes.

The other point which is fair, is they might be short if Zouma goes. That just isn't true. They will have upwards of 10 senior centre halves next season without Zouma. So it's not the case they cannot afford to let him go.

 

[catcherintherye]

They do have a ton of options there, but Rudiger is going to miss the start of the season through injury I think, and a lot of Chelsea fans are now calling for Zouma to be given a chance, which Lampard might pander to when he gets there. Or Lampard might just rate him. Luiz is 30 now and Christensen doesn’t seem very consistent.

I'm not seeing those calls. However I suspect Lampard will be brought in on a backdrop of promoting and giving opportunities to younger players. That means it's more likely to promote the two lads in the under 21's (who he's had at derby).

You also have to factor in, the pressure from above, from the board will be to sell. They have viewed Zouma as 5th choice up until last season, and possibly falling behind 2 or 3 of the younger lads who 7th/8th choice. From a business perspective theres a window of opportunity to get 30+ million for him, which they will not want to miss.

 

[MikeH72]

Kalas still plays for Chelsea! He must be their longest servant!

Haha, I Googled him and the first report does say longest serving player. But seems he's on the move. He's been there 9 years and came on once in the league cup and came on in stoppage time in the CL haha

He played in the Slippy G game and absolutely arse pocketed Suarez.

 

[evertonarntwe]

I think we’ll see him back here. The fact that a price is being talked about suggests that Chelsea are at least considering it.

Same here. I think if they wanted him or he wanted to stay ar Chelsea youd have seen either the club or player come out and say he's not for sale or he wants to stay etc

He knows he'll be first choice at us.

 

[Nymzee]

No we don't. However we can have a reasonably educated guess. Rudiger and Luiz will be first choice as they've remained their and Christensen/Azpilucueta will likely be ahead of him as they are still there. Would be a big call to shunt Zouma up ahead of two seasoned pro's who they haven't got a buyer lined up for.

Then of the younger players it's likely he will want to promote youth, particularly Tomori.

What we can say with certainty though, is that Chelsea run as a business and buy and sell astutely. We can also say, increasingly they make transfer decisions above the consideration of the manager. Zoom has been loaned out permanently over the last few years. They have finally got to a point where someone wants him and is willing and able to pay a big fee. They will desperately want to move him on.

If Lampard really puts his foot down, then potentially it could be reversed (though it often isn't for other managers). Looking at Lampard, and his desire to bring in younger players I can't imagine he will want to keep a lad who is 5th choice (currently) and very unhappy and go so far against his clubs wishes.

The other point which is fair, is they might be short if Zouma goes. That just isn't true. They will have upwards of 10 senior centre halves next season without Zouma. So it's not the case they cannot afford to let him go.

But it's down to Lampard (or whomever) so it doesn't matter who's been there longest, who played last season, who got loaned out.

It's down to who Lampard prefers from what he sees in training.

We really have no idea.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Same here. I think if they wanted him or he wanted to stay ar Chelsea youd have seen either the club or player come out and say he's not for sale or he wants to stay etc

He knows he'll be first choice at us.

Only issue then becomes would be we’d have three 30 million pound centrebacks all expecting to be first choice if they’re all fit. Perhaps we could rotate dependent on opposition but if we get a partnership that sticks then there’s going to be one very unhappy player somewhere.

Personally I’d go Mina and Zouma as harsh as that sounds on Keane after last season. I think if we got both fit and in form and settled they are powerful, fast and strong in the air. Keane will always be unsettled by pace.

 

[thebluenosebolt]

But it's down to Lampard (or whomever) so it doesn't matter who's been there longest, who played last season, who got loaned out.

It's down to who Lampard prefers from what he sees in training.

We really have no idea.

That's about the long and short of it.

 

[PhilM]

Only issue then becomes would be we’d have three 30 million pound centrebacks all expecting to be first choice if they’re all fit. Perhaps we could rotate dependent on opposition but if we get a partnership that sticks then there’s going to be one very unhappy player somewhere.

Personally I’d go Mina and Zouma as harsh as that sounds on Keane after last season. I think if we got both fit and in form and settled they are powerful, fast and strong in the air. Keane will always be unsettled by pace.

For me, Mina is still somewhat of an unproven quantity as while he did have some strange games, there wasn't a sustained period and that's the acid test.

I'd be very surprised if Keane doesn't start the season as one of the first choice centre half, even if we do sign Zouma.

 

[Tel001]

I'm 98.32% sure that this confidence rating is overly specific

I’m 69.2% convinced that your figures are accurate to within 0.9%

 

[Tel001]

Think Frank will ask Uncle Jose for his thoughts on Zouma, and then decide to stick with him

Can imagine the conversation

Frank “ Jose just calling to see why you think of Kurt”

Jose “ I am special”

Frank “ yeah but Kurt? He’s asked if he can leave”

Jose “ I have won the premier league more than pep and Klopp”

Frank “ but Zouma “

Jose “ I am the special one ... me ... how many championships have you won”

 

[Toffeelover]

Looking awkward with Lampard coming in. Keep fingers crossed Chelsea want some money in the bank to fund other signings.

 

[Barnfred 55]

That's about the long and short of it.

With the exception that Chelsea have been known in the past to buy/sell players without the managers approval. Much bigger profile managers than Frank Lampard too. In fact, sometimes I've wondered with Chelsea just how much input to the transfer process do their managers/head coaches actually have.