“He’s quick, he can jump really high…He’s like the ultimate defender” – Premier League legendary defender questions why Chelsea loaned out Kurt Zouma

As far as last summer went, many will say Chelsea were disastrous in the transfer market, for the simple reason of not being able to settle the score between Diego Costa and Antonio Conte, allowing the matter to escalate the way it did, and how the Blues failed to beef up certain positions with important targets.

However, in one area on the pitch, Chelsea were spoilt for choice. Conte had the luxury of picking center backs from Cezar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, the returning Andreas Christensen and summer signing Antonio Rudiger.

That fact led the Blues to offload some players in that area, including Kurt Zouma, a decision that seems to beat the mind of Stoke City defender, Ryan Shawcross.

The Premier League legend is baffled as to why Conte will let Zouma, who he describes as ‘the ultimate defender’, join his side on loan for a whole season.

“He’s quick, he can jump really high, he can pass the ball, he can shoot, he doesn’t get beat one-v-one. He’s like the ultimate defender.

I wasn’t surprised we got him because obviously we’ve got a good link with Chelsea, but I was surprised they let him go just because they’ve not had the greatest starts and I really do think he’s going to turn out to be one of the top centre halves in the country.

For them to let him go to us is fantastic for us, but surprising. I think Kurt has done brilliantly. He’s played a lot of games previously and it’s a great test for him to come here.”

Ryan Shawcross, Sky Sports

Zouma has featured for Stoke City nine times out of the ten games played, only missing their game against his parent club Chelsea, since he was match tied.

Chelsea News