Everton Opinion: Why the Toffees should sign Kurt Zouma permanently?
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has impressed on loan at Everton this season and the Toffees want to make the loan stay permanent, reports the Liverpool Echo. But any move rests on Chelsea’s upcoming transfer ban.
The Frenchman, 24, has been in top form under Marco Silva this season, making 29 Premier League appearances and helping his side to ninth in the table. But it is unclear whether he has a future at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea are currently under a two-window transfer ban and they are yet to discover if their latest appeal will be successful.
If Chelsea’s ban is upheld, Kurt Zouma would definitely be a welcome reinforcement for Maurizio Sarri’s men. But if the ban is overturned and Chelsea are allowed to sign players in the summer, Everton will have a chance to land the defender on a permanent basis.
Given the current situation, Everton don’t have anything in their hands. What the Merseysiders can do is hope Chelsea’s transfer ban is upended which will then allow them to sign Zouma. However, the idea to sign the Frenchman permanently in the summer suggests Marco Silva and co. are moving in the right direction.
Silva’s men are now up to ninth and are starting to show the quality that they possess in their squad, after a difficult spell of form in the middle of the season. Zouma, one of the consistent players this season, has impressed with his strong performances in the heart of Everton’s defence.
He has forged a strong partnership with Michael Keane in central defence, keeping the likes of Yerry Mina and Phil Jagielka at bay, as the Toffees currently enjoy an excellent run of form.
In fact, Silva has to start planning for life after Jagielka, who has just months remaining on his current deal at the Goodison Park. Jagielka has not played much this season and even if he’s offered a one-year contract extension by the club, he’ll be a bit-part player next campaign as well.
Jagielka will turn 37 in August, meaning Everton will need a long-term replacement for the former England international, sooner rather later. And Zouma could be the answer, with the French defender establishing himself as a fan favourite with his tough-tackling and no-nonsense defending.
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As far as Chelsea are concerned, they are set to offload Gary Cahill in summer when his contract expires. David Luiz, 32, is past his prime and a player like Zouma could be a viewed as a long-term replacement by Sarri.
Verdict
Silva considers Zouma to be a big part of his plans, and it’s no surprise why. The 24-year-old defender has come back stronger after damaging knee ligaments a couple of years ago and while it is still unclear where his future lies, the Toffees’ idea to sign him permanently tells Silva and the club’s ambitions of moving forward next season.
