It's Round and It's White
This week our youth scout gives us the lowdown on St Etienne’s centre back, Kurt Zouma.
The Facts:
Name: Kurt Zouma
Age: 17
Nationality: French
Club: St Etienne
Position: Central Defender
The Lowdown:
Kurt Zouma made his Ligue 1 debut for St Etienne on the 31st of August 2011, when he was just 16.
Last season was his first with the senior side and after receiving his chance early on due to injuries he went on to become a colossus at the heart of defence throughout the campaign.
Zouma featured 24 times in all competitions for ‘Les Verts’ (The Greens) with most coming at centre half although as a very quick right footed player he did slot in comfortably at right back on occasion.
He also scored 2 goals in the appearances he made to add that little bit extra to what was already a very impressive season.
Zouma has featured in 6 games for St Etienne this campaign taking his tally of senior appearances to 30, a very good number for a 17 year old featuring in a top domestic league.
The centre back has been compared to French great Marcel Desailly because of his clear physical attributes of: height, strength and pace.
He is also regarded for being skilled on the ball which is what sets him apart from other young defenders with the same physical capabilities.
It is all these attributes combined that saw Zouma linked with Manchester United over the summer although nothing materialised.
There was also speculation that Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Juventus were keeping tabs on the young starlet but it is believed that Zouma decided to stay at St Etienne where he is guaranteed starts.
His club also look to be on the rise and although Zouma will inevitably leave for a bigger club, he will continue impressing for St Etienne for now.
