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Young Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma may have recovered and returned from his torn ACL in the second-half of last season, but he’s yet to truly get back to the level he was at before the injury. That combined with Chelsea’s strong intent to reinforce the defensive corpse with a big-money signing has had Zouma earmarked for a potential loan since the end of the season. However, for the 22-year-old himself, that’s not the preferred course of action, at least not anymore. While towards the end of the season he’s talked about the need for playing time to be of foremost concern, now it sounds like he wants to stay with Chelsea above anything else.
“I am very happy at Chelsea. My main goal is to stay at Chelsea. Next season we will start from scratch and there will be many more matches. The cards will be back on the table and it’s up to me to do the job. I have heard the rumours and it’s flattering as it means I am being watched. But I am not going to stop [with my Chelsea career] here.”
-Kurt Zouma; source: France Football via Inside Futbol
Chelsea’s expanded schedule this season should offer plenty of minutes and opportunities beyond just the first-choice eleven. And with Nathan Ake now looking more and more likely to leave, Zouma’s chances of staying are looking better and better. His wonderful attitude and commitment should only help in that regard.