Premier League side Stoke City are keen to complete the deal for Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma this summer.
The player is set to continue with his development away from Stamford Bridge after his career threatening injury.
The player broke through the St Etienne ranks at the age of 16. The centre half has progressed through the age grades for France from Under 16 to the national team. His physical size, pace and commitment sets him apart as one of the best centre half.
Zouma joined Chelsea for £12 million in 2014 but he spent that season on loan at St Etienne. He returned to the Premier League champs where he has earned 71 caps. The player’s knee injury meant he was sidelined for nine months.
Chelsea have enough options at the back so Antonio Conte is confident of allowing the player go out on loan. The recent successful switch of Victor Moses at the club is a good story to replicate. The Nigerian agreed a long term deal with Chelsea after his impressive time at Stoke. Fans thought he would struggle for chances at Chelsea but after time away at West Ham, he returned a more versatile player that contributed to the 2017 title win.
Andreas Christensen has returned to the club after his time out on loan in the German Bundesliga. Conte just signed German highly-rated defender and FIFA Confed Cup star Antonio Rudiger. And then there are the three stable players in skipper Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Zouma is expected to feature in the centre back role at Stoke City. Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi were decent last term. With Indi returning to his employers, Zouma could partner Shawcross. The club is still hoping to get Indi in a permanent deal. The three players could form the back three. However, Phil Bardsley and Glen Johnson just agreed to a one year deal.
There are options in XherdanShaqiri, MameDiouf, Ryan Sweeney, Harry Souttar, and Philipp Wollscheid in defence or wing back role. Well, that’s Mark Hughes headache!