Kurt Zouma just about ends Everton transfer speculation

When Everton manager Marco Silva said over the weekend that the Toffees would not wait around for Kurt Zouma, it appears he knew something we didn’t quite yet.

Chelsea are currently in Japan on a preseason tour and take on Barcelona today. Speaking yesterday to the media, the central defender indicated that he wanted to stay at the Stamford Bridge side and fight for a starting spot there after former player Frank Lampard took over the managerial reins.

“I’m happy with what the manager said about me. That means he is seeing the work I’m doing and I’m very pleased with that. We had a chat, and he was very good with me. He is a very good manager.

“I enjoyed my time at Everton but I’m a Chelsea player and we’ll see what will happens in the future. I think it will be here at Chelsea.

“This is a chance for me. I went out on loan last season but I’m a Chelsea player and I want to do well to get my chance and be here.”

He expounded on his season out on loan at Goodison Park, where he seemed to form a strong partnership with Michael Keane as the Blues finished the season strong.

“It was a very good season for me. It was very good for my development. After my injury I was ready to play week-in week-out.

“Going there I did that and improved myself technically and tactically in every aspect with the manager there. I am a better player. Everything has improved in my game. I still have a lot to learn and to work on but I feel I have done a lot.”

Zouma went on to clarify that one of his goals was to become a regular in the World Cup winners France national side, and for that he would need to be playing regularly, something he had been unable to do at Chelsea under previous managers.

“There is a lot of quality here. It depends on the manager. He can only play with two centre backs. He has to make the choice but he is lucky because he has good players. It will be hard for him to make that choice but that is what we’re here for.

“That is very important for me. It was one of my targets to get into the France team. I had been there before and wanted to come back.

“I managed to do that. Now the target is to play at the Euros - but to be there you have to be playing at your club. So I am working very hard.”