Mon Jul 08, 2013 4:15 pm
Who is Cardiff and Manchester United target Kurt Zouma?
By Callum Fox / 8 July 2013
Cardiff City are among several European clubs reportedly chasing Saint-Etienne’s French Under-20 star Kurt Zouma, with a bid supposedly having been turned down by Les Verts for the €10 million rated defender.
See Zouma’s scout report as provided by The Elastico here
But why have the Bluebirds gone in for Zouma? The Elastico investigates the hype surrounding the youngster who is catching the eye of scouts across the continent.
Who is he?
Born in Lyon, 18-year-old Zouma emerged from Saint-Etienne’s academy and made his senior debut aged just 16 as he took to the field against Bordeaux in the Coupe de la Ligue.
Since then, the French defender’s profile has skyrocketed and his club are desperately fending off interest from around Europe as Cardiff hope to beat the likes of Wolfsburg and Anzhi Makhachkala to the young starlet.
Cardiff reportedly tabled a bid in the region of €10 million last week which was turned down by the Ligue 1 club but Zouma’s agent has admitted that a move to England could be on the cards.
“Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester United were interested, but they cooled when they learned of Saint-Etienne’s asking price. There is, however, an English club and a German side still in the running,” David Venditelli told Eurosport last month.
What can he offer?
Zouma is a beast of a physical specimen, at well over six feet tall, as well as possessing pace to burn which has drawn comparisons with compatriot Raphael Varane as one of France’s finest young defenders.
French Football Weekly editor Andrew Gibney had this to say about Zouma:
“What a talent this kid is, making his debut when he was only 17, he never looked nervous or over-awed by the whole experience. He settled in quickly, using his huge frame and scoring a couple of goals from set-pieces, but it was in defence that he showed his real abilities – he is very strong, deceptively quick along the ground, positionally good and superb in the air.
The 2012-13 season started a little slowly for Zouma, but he is one of only three centre-backs Saint-Etienne have in their squad, showing the confidence that Coach Christoph Galtier has in his young defender. He needs to stay in France for at least another two years, more if possible, if he wants to develop.
He has all the raw tools needed to be a player of the highest calibre, it is all about development now. One trait he hasn’t shown often enough for his club yet is his ability to push forward with the ball at his feet, though he has shown this for France youth sides. He could be the next Marcel Desailly in the making.
At the moment he is competing with France’s Under-20 side at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey where they have reached the semi-finals with Zouma a presence in their back four.
There are concerns that at just 18 years old, Zouma’s progress could be derailed with an ill-advised move, and indeed, many have advised the youngster to stay at Les Verts until he is ready to move on.
While interest from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have died down, it may be time for Zouma to knuckle down and make the most of his promise at Saint-Etienne.
But should a move to Cardiff City arise, they would be getting one of the finest defensive prospects.