Thomas Tuchel drools over West Ham defender Kurt Zouma
Thomas Tuchel has showered heaps of praise on Kurt Zouma ahead of West Ham v Chelsea in the Premier League clash on Saturday.
The 27-year-old joined the Hammers in the summer transfer window from Chelsea, and he has been simply outstanding for the club.
Tuchel has suggested that he wanted Zouma to stay and explained the circumstances under which the transfer took place.
The Chelsea boss was full of praise for his former defender and hailed the Frenchman as a “top-quality player”.
Tuchel said as quoted by Football London: “I made it clear, I told him, ‘I love you and we don’t have to have these talks. I am happy for you to stay even if Trevoh comes into the squad’.
“I was happy for him to stay as he is a top-quality player. He could have stayed to fight for his place and he always had a chance to play. But it’s a hard competition.
“He said, ‘ok, if it’s like this’. He accepted it. He was always a top guy on the pitch and in the dressing room.
“Then a very late offer came from West Ham. We had a talk and he decided this is an offer that it might be perfect for him. We had to make a decision and we respected his wish because he had been a long-term player here.
“But I have nothing but good words for Kurt. I am happy I was his coach and he is doing fantastic at West Ham, which is not a surprise.”
Big match
Zouma has settled in nicely at his new club and he is already proving to be a key player for David Moyes’s side.
He is a leader on the pitch, and sets high standards for himself.
It is clear from Tuchel’s version that Zouma wanted to move in order to play first-team football. Chelsea did not push him out, rather the offer from West Ham was deemed perfect for all parties involved.
An honest conversation took place, and it is brilliant to see the love and respect Tuchel has for Zouma.
Meanwhile, this is a huge game for the Hammers.
West Ham are without a win in their last three games in the Premier League, and this is the perfect opportunity for them to return to winning ways.
A derby clash is bound to get the best of the players, and there’s no reason why the Hammers can’t get a win here.
Chelsea, the league leaders, have been in superb form, but West Ham have shown they can beat any side on their day.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
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