Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is making his first start since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in February.
The French international is lining up for the Chelsea development side in their game against Derby County this evening. It’s the first time he has appeared in a blue shirt for eight months after a horror injury sustained against Manchester United earlier this year. If you’re eating your dinner, you may want to scroll past this GIF.
Kurt Zouma leg injury. pic.twitter.com/cdxDTQzXqy
— Helmi Halim (@_emint_) February 7, 2016
Zouma broke into Chelsea’s starting eleven under Jose Mourinho and, until his injury, stayed there under Guus Hiddink. The ACL rupture ruled him out of the Euro 2016 tournament in his home country and also the start to Chelsea’s season under Antonio Conte.
His return to fitness will be a huge boost for the Blues. He offers a more mobile option to Gary Cahill and a more physical alternative to Cesar Azpilicueta in Conte’s back-three. How far he is from stepping foot onto the Stamford Bridge turf once more remains to be seen, but he can’t be far away now.