West Ham defender Kurt Zouma would walk into Tottenham’s starting XI, according to former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer.
The 6 ft 3 centre-back, who joined West Ham from London rivals Chelsea during the summer in a £29.8m deal, helped the Hammers to victory and a clean sheet against Tottenham last weekend following a 1-0 win at the London Stadium.
Prior, Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson in his Daily Star column had claimed that Zouma would get into Spurs’ side “all day long”, and it is a sentiment shared by Palmer.
Would Zouma start at Tottenham?
Yes
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When Merson’s comments were put to him by TIF, the ex-England international said: “I would think so, I would think so. I think that’s a fair assessment. I think he could do.”
While Zouma was not always a starter at Chelsea last season, he was quite a colossal figure whenever he did play.
As per WhoScored, he won 3.6 aerial duels per league game, more than any other player in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. The France international also finished that Premier League campaign with five goals to his name, showing his threat from set pieces.
All things considered, Zouma would have every chance of getting into this Spurs side, who have not been at their defensive best this season, conceding 10 goals in total in London derby defeats to Zouma’s West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.