Kurt Zouma replaced Gary Cahill for the 2-0 victory.
Chelsea coach Steve Holland once again spoke to the media in the absence of Jose Mourinho following today’s relatively comfortable Premier League victory over Newcastle United – and Holland insisted that central defender Gary Cahill had been rested, rather than dropped, for the 2-0 triumph.
SEE MORE:
Chelsea could offload Liverpool target
Fastest Premier League players so far this season
Young French centre back Kurt Zouma came into the starting line up for the Blues, having played third fiddle to regular pairing of Cahill and John Terry thoughout the season, with some suggesting that Cahill had been dropped after a poor display in the 5-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day.
Holland insisted that Cahill was merely rested as the Blues look to cope with the demands of a long season – but he was impressed with the contribution of Zouma according to quotes from the Daily Star:
“Dropped is not a word we would use [about Cahill].”
“It’s a long, long season and we have a big squad of players.”
“We get criticism for not giving young guys a go but I don’t think Kurt Zouma put a foot wrong.”
“A 20-year-old making his first league start and if he carries on playing like that it won’t be his last either.”
COMMENTS