Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is on the verge of handing in a transfer request, according to reports in England.
The Frenchman is said to be worried that he won’t get enough game time next season ahead of next summer’s European Championships.
Fans on Twitter are sceptical about the accuracy of the story:
Frank has already said that he intends to keep Zouma. Don't see him leaving now
— Antariksh Tiwari (@thespacebuoy) 21 July 2019
Don’t think zouma wants to leave. If he did he would’ve said before going on tour. Lampard wants him here and I don’t think he’d be playing him in ore season as much as he is if he didn’t have a big part to play. Tomori if he had a big part would’ve played but has only played 1
— kylepadan (@kylepadan1) 21 July 2019
Scenes if lampard keeps tomori instead of zouma!???
— sajal verma (@sajalverma22) 21 July 2019
I’m not going to panic Lampard has come out and said that he sees Zouma as an important part so I’m sure he’ll convince him to stay.
— Alex (@CFCTransferBan) 21 July 2019
I can’t see Zouma going especially with Rudi injured and Ampadu going on loan
— dave (@nonbiasedchels) 21 July 2019
If this news is true, Zouma needs to stay and prove himself, I see him displacing Fikayo Tomori, besides there are many competition this season and the team will be rotated.
— ?Good Tidings (@DLiving_Bread) 21 July 2019
Everybody Relax Zouma is going to stay
— AM_DRPZ (@am_drpz) 21 July 2019
80 million no less than that.
— Ricardo Adams (@Ricardo78272139) 21 July 2019
Keep Zouma at all costs, he is so important for our squad this season.
— Farrell (@Farrellfutbol) 21 July 2019
Zouma ain’t going anywhere!! Sorry but love Rudiger but not confident on his recovery for injuries…Zouma and Christensen starting in the back
— Lord Morgs (@Lord_Morgs) 21 July 2019
With Lampard having recently stated that Zouma is part of his first-team plans for next season, it’s highly unlikely that the 24-year-old would be allowed to leave even if he wanted to.
Chelsea’s transfer ban means they wouldn’t be able to replace the centre-back and with Antonio Rudiger likely to miss the start of the season due to a knee injury, Lampard will need Zouma to play a role.
The Blues boss may see Fikayo Tomori as another option, but the 21-year-old lacks experience at the top level and it would be a big call to let Zouma leave and keep him instead.