Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has revealed that manager Jose Mourinho is very demanding of his players and demands “perfection” from his charges.
Zouma was signed from St Etienne in January 2014 but only joined up with the squad in the summer and has progressed remarkably well over the past few months.
The young Frenchman has done well to break-up the previously solid partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry as he took advantage of a loss in form from the former.
As Chelsea amble over the line in their bid to claim a first Premier League title since 2010, Zouma revealed the personal instructions he has received from the Portuguese coach when playing in central defence, and in the heart of midfield.
SEE MORE:
Chelsea FC news
Chelsea’s exciting new-look XI for 2015/16 with signing of Gareth Bale & Atletico Madrid raid
Warning for Ross Barkley: Seven youngsters signed and never used by Chelsea, including Premier League goal machine
“Mourinho puts pressure on all his players. It is very demanding – he wants perfection from everyone,” Zouma was quoted as saying on Goal.com.
“He won’t let you take a month to fix something.
“In defence, he asked me to move tactically, to be well placed to listen to the older players around me, John [Terry] and Gary Cahill.
“Initially, in midfield, I was obsessed with the ball – I was not paying enough attention to the players behind me – but it’s something I’ve been working on. In midfield, it’s different. He asks me to use my power and stay in place to help the defence.”
Zouma has started three out of Chelsea’s last five Premier League games and Mourinho recently named him alongside Raphael Varane as one of the best young central defenders in the world (via Daily Star).
Should Zouma develop into one of the leading defenders in the world, he certainly has a good example to learn from on a weekly basis in the form of veteran team-mate John Terry.
COMMENTS