Chelsea fans hail Kurt Zouma as ‘new Paolo Maldini’ after v Manchester City display

A few eyebrows were raised when Chelsea splashed out £12million on young defender Kurt Zouma this time last year – with the club immediately loaning him back to Saint Etienne.

But 12 months on, it all makes sense, with Zouma turning in a Man of the Match performance for the Blues against Manchester City.


Zouma, who earns about six-times less money per week that John Terry, was superb with a number of excellent tackles and interceptions, and he soon got plenty of praise on Twitter.

Some went pretty bold with their talk…

ZOUMA > MALDINI
— zat (@ezztrinho) January 31, 2015

Kurt Zouma aka the black Maldini.
— Vlad Ionasc (@Vlad_Ionasc) January 31, 2015

Zouma aka paulo maldini of tonight
— Rajab habib salum (@Elburashidy) January 27, 2015

Then the #ZoumaFacts trend started…

Kurt Zouma's middle name is Happy. #CFCvsMCFC #KurtZoumaFacts
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) January 31, 2015

Kurt Zouma takes his first name from a film character played by Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme. #CFCvsMCFC #KurtZoumaFacts
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) January 31, 2015

@BetVictor Kurt Zouma was names after a character played by jean claude van damme #KurtZoumaFacts
— saudi (@saudij) January 31, 2015

While others have just fallen in love…

Kurt Zouma is one hell of a prospect.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 31, 2015

Kurt Zouma a breath of fresh air. Has been excellent in his last two starts vs Liverpool and City. Excellent talent and exciting prospect!
— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) January 31, 2015

Kurt Zouma should be our first choice CB from now onwards. What a performance.
— Shivam Manghnani (@shivamLM) January 31, 2015

My Man of the match – Kurt Zouma by a mile.
— The Blue (@TheBIue_) January 31, 2015

Safe to say bye bye Cahill now. Kurt Zouma has performed well in 2 back to back big games
— Mourinho-Esque (@Mourinhoesque) January 31, 2015

We’re looking forward to seeing more of him!