Kurt Zouma has said he will think about making his loan move to Everton permanent.
The 24-year-old centre-back has made 31 appearances for Everton since his summer move and the France international has been a big hit at Goodison, especially in recent months.
Talking to the Liverpool Echo, the centre-back wouldn’t make any commitments but left the door open to a move up north in the summer.
Asked about an Everton move he said, “At the minute I’m just enjoying myself here, playing week in week out and improving myself. I’m very happy and I will have time to think about it.”
Everton had reportedly wanted him on a permanent deal in the summer but Chelsea would only sanction a loan.
Good move for Everton?
Definitely. He’s put in a string of strong performances for Everton this season and scored his second league goal of the season in the recent 2-0 win against West Ham. Zouma has really kicked on since a poor season on loan at Stoke saw his stock plummet, and is getting back to he sort of form that persuaded Chelsea to sign him for £13million from Saint-Etienne back in 2014. He’s under contract at Chelsea until 2023 so he won’t come cheap but he’s in the peak of his career and would be a solid investment for a side looking to break into the upper echelons of the Premier League.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Zouma is keeping fairly tight-lipped about things but he’s obviously enjoying his time at Everton. He’s right to be diplomatic as well – Chelsea refused to sell him in the summer and they might come back to Everton with the same answer this summer – especially with complications arriving from the transfer ban at Stamford Bridge. However, we can’t really see a future for Zouma at Chelsea and they might well want to cash in and look to make new signings if their appeal on the transfer embargo is successful. Even if it isn’t Zouma might be considered surplus to requirements.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10