Everton Announce Kurt Zouma Loan Deal from Chelsea
By Tom Power
Toffees make seventh signing of the summer despite Thursday’s 5pm cut off point
Everton have announced the season-long loan signing of Kurt Zouma – almost 24 hours after the transfer deadline passed.
The Chelsea defender will spend the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Goodison Park after he completed a temporary switch from west London.
The Blues’ official site confirmed the capture of Zouma on Friday afternoon, with reports in the media earlier in the day suggesting that the deal would go ahead.
https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1027932779516973057
That was in spite of the 5pm cut off point on Thursday for Premier League clubs to sign new players, but the Toffees managed to file the necessary paperwork ahead of that time.
Everton were then allowed an extra two hours by officials of England’s top flight to complete the transfer and, finally, announced Zouma’s arrival nearly a day later.
The France international heads to the north west having spent last term on loan at Stoke City, who were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.
Despite that blot on his career notes, Zouma played well for the Potters during his spell there.
The 23-year-old has now become the seventh signing of the Marco Silva era on Merseyside, and the fifth of a frantic past 24 hours for Everton.
Zouma joins Richarlison, Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Bernard and Joao Virginia in heading to Goodison as part of Silva’s revolution.
He will wear the number five jersey for the entire campaign whilst he is here, and should prove to be a valuable option to have around the squad.
Zouma’s pace, recovery tackle and ease on the ball are all hallmarks of the way that Silva wishes for his side to play.
The Portuguese gaffer had concerns over his defence ahead of the new season, with Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane struggling to show their best form during pre-season.
With Mason Holgate injured as well, a centre-back was a necessity before the window slammed shut.
But Silva managed to lure Mina and Zouma to Everton to bolster his options at the back, and the duo could end up forming a formidable partnership in defence if given the chance to do so.