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Kurt Zouma is back from Stoke City but not among the 25 players who traveled to Australia earlier this week to kick-off Chelsea’s preseason schedule with a match against Perth Glory. Combined with his “removal” from the official Chelsea website’s squad list — an odd move, but the website’s squad list is notorious for inaccuracies — and his previous number, 6, given to Jorginho, concerns have arisen that he’s been already dropped by Sarri after just a few days of training and is about to head out on loan again, or worse.
As it turns out, that may not be exactly what’s happening. According to Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella, Zouma is actually just carrying a minor injury.
FYI: Kurt Zouma missed the trip due to a minor injury. Nothing serious, not to do with his future and he will be back for the European games. He's one of the high value loanees so it will be interesting to see what Sarri makes of him. #CFC https://t.co/EHvuTQ1egi
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) July 20, 2018
This possibility was brought up as well when the traveling squad was announced, but without any confirmation, it was just further speculation. Kinsella’s report is the first we’ve heard of any, even remotely concrete reports of Zouma’s whereabouts.
Chelsea return from Perth immediately after Monday’s game before taking on Inter Milan in Nice, France next Saturday. Zouma, alongside World Cup returnees Moses and Rudiger (and maybe Omeruo, too?) will be expected to feature then.