Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma sets his sights on winning the Premier League and FA Cup double following first team return
Kurt Zouma says he is ready to help Chelsea’s bid for the Double after making his first appearance in 11 months.
The 22-year-old defender played from the start in yesterday’s 4-1 FA Cup third-round win against Peterborough.
Zouma wants to end the season on high by playing regularly and winning trophies, having been sidelined with knee ligament damage suffered against Manchester United last February.
Chelsea are five points clear at the top of the Premier League and are in tonight’s fourth-round draw following yesterday’s emphatic win.
Asked if he was fit enough to compete for a first-team spot for the rest of the season, Zouma said: “Of course. Why not? I played 90 minutes against Peterborough and train every day with the boys.
“I’m still learning but I feel fit, I feel okay. I’m ready to compete with the others. I have played four warm-up games before this and was with the group a long time ago.
“When I was not on the pitch, I was doing my preparation, working on my strength and I was watching the lads.
“The players have done very well over the last few months and with the new manager [Antonio Conte]. Everything is going well and that makes the recovery easier.
“In the summer I went on the club’s pre-season tour to the USA so I was next to the players, I was close to them. That helped me a lot. It was a proud and amazing moment to be out there playing 90 minutes. I am really happy because I was out for a long time.”
Zouma has already been to Wembley with Chelsea, having been part of the side that won the EFL Cup in the 2014-15 season before helping them secure the Premier League title.
Now he wants to add the FA Cup to his medal collection and added: “I hope we can win the FA Cup this season, we have the team to do it. We can do it and we are going to win this Cup. It is one of our targets. Let’s see who we get in the next round but I hope we get to Wembley.”
The France international worried the home fans in the first half after needing lengthy treatment following a heavy challenge.
Asked if he was concerned at that moment, Zouma said: “No. You need that moment. Anything can happen in the game and when I had this shock, I said, ‘welcome back’ just to myself. I was lucky.”
Zouma has also revealed how he was reassured by Conte over his future at the club shortly after the Italian agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Conte was appointed last April and met with all the players three months before he officially started.
Zouma said: “He talked to me like he did everybody. He said, ‘I want you to concentrate on your recovery and when you’re back, I want you to play’. I was really proud and happy with that.
“Of course (it gave me a boost). When you have the trust of the new manager, it’s always good.
“It was hard waiting to play again but I had to be patient. Everybody wants to play.”
London Football! Find out who Chelsea get in Monday’s FA Cup fourth round draw on Standard Sport, from 7:10pm.
Zouma targets league and FA Cup double after first team returnChelsea F.c.Premier LeagueKurt ZoumaFA CupChelsea team news: Kurt Zouma ready to fight for the Premier League title and FA Cup doubleChelsea's Zouma targets league and FA Cup double after first team returnIn Pictures | Chelsea vs Peterborough United | 08/01/2017
In Pictures | Chelsea vs Peterborough United | 08/01/2017
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