Kurt Zouma happy to wait for first team chance

Kurt Zouma made his long-awaited return to football action a few weeks ago with the Under-23 squad. Since then, he has been training with the senior squad, but has only played for the development squad as he bids to fully recover from a torn ACL.

The fact that he hasn’t played for the first team since his injury in February last year does not concern him for the time being; he simply wants to play games again and recover what was his immense level of fitness.

"I am very pleased to play another 90 minutes. I need to play, keep going and to work because I was out for a long time.

"I am very happy to play, I need game-time. I am used to being with the first team, but I am so lucky because I can play with the Under-23s and with a very good team.

The central defender is clear with his short term goal, and with the current first team defence performing so admirably, there is no rush for him to return to the intensity and physical stress that Premier League football entails.

Zouma is not the only one who is not managing to break into the first team at the moment and it was rather beneficial that the likes of Fabregas, Batshuayi and captain Terry recently joined in the action for the Under-23’s against Southampton.

"The skipper (John Terry) is still there, he's still sharp and in good form. He did well. It's very good to get some advice from him."

- Kurt Zouma; source: Evening Standard

Chelsea have put together a run of six victories in the Premier League, coupled with six clean sheets as the current set of defenders continue to perform at a high level. This only gives Zouma plenty of time to strengthen, both physically and mentally, before thinking about winning back his place in the first team. With the FA cup around the corner and appetite to return to the Champions League stronger than ever, Kurt has a lot to look forward to whilst he appreciates his football.