Kurt Zouma’s return to Chelsea this summer following a strong loan spell with Everton last season certainly got many excited to see the Frenchman back in a Chelsea shirt once again.
The centre-back had been a consistent figure at the back for the Blues in the 2015/16 campaign prior to his horrible knee injury against Manchester United, which kept him sidelined for almost a year.
And Zouma began to find the form he showed prior to his injury last season during his loan stint with the Toffees, hence the excitement to see him back in the blue of Chelsea this season.
However, the Frenchman certainly didn’t have the return to the side he would have been hoping for against United last weekend, in arguably one of his worst Premier League performances.
His foul in the area on Marcus Rahsford changed the flow of the game, especially when the striker stepped up to dispatch the penalty confidently and put United 1-0 up after Chelsea’s bright start.
Zouma struggled to recover at Old Trafford, and while he improved against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday night, the Frenchman could be set for a big test this weekend against Leicester City.
With Antonio Rudiger and Reece James both returning to full fitness in the near future, Frank Lampard’s defensive options will be further strengthened.
And another poor display against Leicester this weekend could spell trouble for Zouma, and his place in the side could become vulnerable.
Rudiger was Chelsea’s first choice centre-back last season and is expected to walk straight back into the side on his return to fitness, while James can also be deployed in central defence.
Cesar Azpilicueta also appears to now be more suited to a place at centre-back, meaning he could potentially partner Rudiger, with James reverting to his more natural position of right-back.
Lampard will certainly have options in defence when the duo return to fitness, and Zouma will need to make sure his early season form improves, if he is to keep his place in the side.
