Zouma’s chances of staying at Everton reduced after Chelsea transfer ban

Kurt Zouma, as recently pointed out by Chelsea loanee liaison Eddie Newton, has had a solid season on Merseyside despite Everton’s poor form, making 29 appearances in all competitions and playing the second most minutes of any central defender after Michael Keane. And if this were a normal summer coming up in Chelsea-landia, there might be a chance that he could stay there next season as well, either on loan or more permanently. After all, there has already been a fair bit of talk along those lines, especially with David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, and Andreas Christensen all doing quite well back at Stamford Bridge.

However, this summer probably won’t be like any other summer in Chelsea history, with the club either facing a transfer ban or already under one. Either way, Chelsea will have some interesting decisions to make, and could yet turn to the Loan Army (or the Academy) for temporary help and reinforcements. Kurt Zouma, with already 71(!) Chelsea appearances to his name, would be one of the most obvious names to look at in that regard, which is something that Everton are surely aware of as well.

Here’s Marco Silva sounding a lot less confident of their prospects of keeping the 24-year-old than just a few short weeks ago.

“Let’s see what we can do or not and what will be our decision. It is also about the decision of Kurt and Chelsea so there will be three parts on his possible or not deal: us, Kurt and Chelsea. In the right moment we have to take our decision, they have to take a decision and Kurt also. Let’s see what we can do.”

-Marco Silva; source: Liverpool Echo

With hardly used Gary Cahill sure to leave in the summer, there will be at least one spot open in the squad for a central defender. Zouma would be a ready-made replacement, and is currently tied to the club until 2023. With David Luiz’s future undecided as well, Zouma’s Chelsea career could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the incoming transfer ban.