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New Chelsea Frank Lampard has dashed Everton’s hopes of signing defender Kurt Zouma on a permanent basis.
The 24-year old enjoyed a fine season on Merseyside on loan last season, and Everton manager Marco Silva was keen to be re-united with the centre-back on a permanent basis.
For his part, Zouma, who forced his way back into the French international reckoning during his spell in the North-West of England, was keen on the move if he was going to become just a bit-part player against at Stamford Bridge as had been the case with previous managers.
However, Lampard has got other ideas, and regards Zouma as an integral part of his squad for the coming season. The new manager spoke after Chelsea’s friendly defeat to Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale on Friday and made his feelings quite clear saying “In terms of Kurt Zouma, he’s a very good defender for us, very good player, very good person and professional. I want him here, simple as that.”
“He’s a Chelsea player and I want him.”
Zouma started the game but was unable to prevent his side slipping to a narrow 1 – 0 defeat in the friendly.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.