Kurt Zouma has had ‘advanced contact’ with Stamford Bridge outfit.
Kurt Zouma in L’equipe today: “When Mourinho called me a month ago, I first thought it was a joke! Its a mark of respect and confidence” 1/2
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 16, 2014
2/2 “I love Chelsea since I was a boy. I always play with them on Playstation. Blue is my favourite colour. If im told to go there, I will.”
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 16, 2014
Zouma is 19 & v promising centre half. St Etienne want around 10 million pounds. Contract up in 2017. Called up once with France, no cap yet
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) January 16, 2014
Saint-Etienne centre back Kurt Zouma says he has had ‘advanced contract’ with Chelsea.
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The 19-year-old is one of the most-highly rated young players in Ligue 1 and the Blues have reportedly been tracking the youngster for the past 18 months.
On Tuesday, Zouma’s agent Alexandre Bonnefond admitted some ‘big clubs’ from the Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Premier League were interested in his client and the defender has now confirmed that he has spoken directly with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
“Well, it’s true. There has been an advanced contact,” Zouma told French daily L’Equipe.
“At first I thought it was a joke. But I quickly took his call seriously. A great man like Jose Mourinho phoning a small player like Kurt Zouma, it’s nice.
“It does not happen to you every day and it is a great sign of respect and trust.
“I will always take Chelsea. I loved this club since childhood and blue is my favourite colour.
“In my head, it is clear: I want a change. When going abroad, it’s make or break. But it is a risk worth taking.”
Zouma, who is targeting a place in France’s World Cup squad for next summer’s tournament in Brazil, has been heralded by Les Bleus head-coach Didier Deschamps as a future captain of the national team but was banned for ten matches earlier in the season for a horror tackle on Thomas Guerbert, which left the Sochaux player with a broken leg.
Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Zouma.
Watch Zouma’s horror tackle below: