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Reported Tottenham target Kurt Zouma was once told he was ‘rubbish’ by Jose Mourinho
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in raiding Jose Mourinho’s old side Chelsea for defender Kurt Zouma this summer – despite the French ace once claiming that Mourinho labelled him ‘rubbish’ during a behind-the-scenes chat.
Zouma, 25, has clocked up 33 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions this season – enjoying his best return in terms of game time since his move to the Blues in January 2014. He has played 104 times for the west London side.
Indeed, Zouma has been prevented from adding more to that figure due to loan spells at Everton, Stoke City and a return to St. Etienne – as well as recovering from a long-term knee injury. Now, the £40,000-a-week ace () is seemingly first choice.
But Zouma could be tempted with a move to Tottenham this summer – Mourinho wants to sign the player, after initially bringing him to Stamford Bridge. That, despite Mourinho’s harsh criticism in a previous conversation.
Zouma told RMC Sport earlier this season, that Mourinho had said he was “rubbish” during a conversation: “I cannot remember which match we were playing, we were losing 3-1, away from home.
“The following day, he [Mourinho] catches up with me, he takes me to his office, and he asks me if I am ok. I said yes, he asked me if I was sure. I said yes again, he replied ‘Because you were rubbish this weekend.’
“Like that, direct. It shocked me, but it made me want to immediately respond on the pitch. I remember that it hurt me, that it affected me. But I really wanted to show him that I could react.”
TBR’s view – With Zouma, what would Spurs’ best CB partnership be?
If we take into account that Zouma is likely to replace Jan Vertonghen – who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season – and that Eric Dier is expected to be used as a defender, what is Spurs’ best partnership for 2020-21?
Toby Alderweireld is Tottenham’s best centre-back, without a doubt. He starts, whether Mourinho uses a three-man defence – or combines just two. Dier has impressed in defence more so than midfield, but Davinson Sanchez has been guilty of errors.
Japhet Tanganga is showing enormous promise but he still needs to be used sparingly, while Juan Foyth is likely to leave. So, bringing Zouma alongside Alderweireld could be Tottenham’s best option – or a three of Zouma, Dier and Alderweireld.
