Lampard wants Zouma to stay at Chelsea

Boss Frank Lampard says he wants defender Kurt Zouma to stay at Chelsea next season.

The 24-year-old France international spent last season on loan at Everton, making 29 Premier League starts from a total of 36 appearances and the Merseyside club are eager to buy him.

But Zouma has returned to Chelsea for pre-season and started in Friday’s 1-0 friendly defeat against J League champions Kawasaki Frontale in Yokohama.

Lampard said: “He’s a very good defender, a very good player, very good person and professional. I want him here. Simple as that.

“We are competitive with the centre-backs we have and he had a very good season at Everton and I can understand why they want him.”

Zouma joined Chelsea from St Etienne in 2014 and has played 71 games for the Blues, scoring four goals.

As well as his loan spell with Everton, he also played a season with then Premier League side Stoke City.

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