CRIMHEAD
Player Valuation: £40m
Zouma can be and has been inconsistent in his play, sloppy with the ball at his feet, and lacks composure when pressed. All qualities that Keane also shares with him but to a lesser degree.
Zouma also relies on his speed and physicality to make up for his lack of concentration and poor positioning, almost purposely choosing to loosely mark his man loosely thinking he will be able to run down his opponent if they get the ball. He has the ability to fly people down but that should be his back up plan not his first choice because and flash or the slightest moments of class or skill can completely leave him done and dusted.
Give me a back that is composed with and without the ball, positions first and stays tight to his mark winning most balls within the opponents first touch, and if need be, he uses his speed and physicality to make up for a good bit of skill from the opposition.
I’d like to say that this is due to his age and inexperience but at 24 that excuse is becoming an issue especially when players 19-23 years old are playing the position better.
Agree completely. Zouma is fine, but I think we can do better. He's a good athlete, but he's not that quick or agile. Fast, strong, true. Would like someone better on the ball. Mina is really good on the ball, but we need another skilled player back there that can mark tighter in space and pass the ball well.