Jose Mourinho called Kurt Zouma 'rubbish' after a Chelsea defeat during the Portuguese manager's time at Stamford Bridge.
The former Chelsea boss, who now manages London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, called the Frenchman into his office and criticised him to his face after the Blues lost away from home.
Despite being hurt by the clear criticism, Zouma believes that it was a Mourinho tactic to spur him on to greater things.
The defender told RMC Sport: 'I cannot remember which match we were playing, we were losing 3-1, away from home.'
'The following day, he catches up with me, he takes me to his office, and he asks me if I am ok. I said yes, he asked me if I was sure.
'I said yes again, he replied 'Because you were rubbish this weekend.' Like that, direct. It shocked me, but it made me want to immediately respond on the pitch.
'I remember that it hurt me, that it affected me. But I really wanted to show him that I could react.'
During the first season of Mourinho's second spell at Stamford Bridge, the iconic manager sent Zouma out on loan to Saint-Etienne for the 2013/14 season.
Upon his return to the club, the defender then featured 30 times over the next two league seasons in west London, before Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea for a second time in December 2015.
Now Zouma is a regular fixture in Frank Lampard's new-look Chelsea side, having made 20 league appearances so far this season.
Despite his limited game time under Mourinho as a youngster, the 25-year-old rejects the notion that the Portuguese does not put any faith in youth.
'I don't know what other people think, we all have different opinions, but from my side, I don't really agree [with the notion that Mourinho does not give young players a chance].'
'He is someone who loves victory. He uses all the tools possible to achieve it.
'I came here at 19 and he played me. I was able to have my chances, I played my matches.'
Wuzbenpuy
0
thank you zouma
Meucekorz
0
Photo Chelsea
sogoro
0
yes.you still rubbish
Top comment [Crylaugh]
Jesbimnty
3
yes.you still rubbish
Andy_Mac
0
I think the order if best is probably when on form Rudiger > Zouma > Tomori at the moment. But I think the pairing of Rudiger and Tomori should he used for games like the United one where we know theyll use pace to counter so we out 2 of the fastest defenders in the league against them. Then for deep sitting but relatively slower teams, we field Zouma and Rudiger...
Yeah that would work out well. I think for this United game, it would be a good ploy to play Azpilicueta in a back 3 alongside any 2 of these defenders and play Alonso as a LWB.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
2
And let's not forget that dribble and mad run through Ajax's midfield. That was unbelievable. He has the skills for sure. Christensen is solid but he isn't the complete package while Zouma and Rüdiger certainly can be that. Even Tomori has the talent to show that.
I think the order if best is probably when on form Rudiger > Zouma > Tomori at the moment. But I think the pairing of Rudiger and Tomori should he used for games like the United one where we know theyll use pace to counter so we out 2 of the fastest defenders in the league against them. Then for deep sitting but relatively slower teams, we field Zouma and Rudiger...
Lacasera80
3
Jose brought out the best in all Chelsea legends today and we as a fan owe him that much , he set a standards for Chelsea and up until now the world still looks up to it. That’s a fact
Andy_Mac
0
Exactly, I dont get what people see in Christensen. All he offers is short passes and some decent reading of the game but Zouma is better at reading the game, more defensively gifted and actually has a good long pass on him despite his people want to make him look like some dumb lug...
And let's not forget that dribble and mad run through Ajax's midfield. That was unbelievable. He has the skills for sure. Christensen is solid but he isn't the complete package while Zouma and Rüdiger certainly can be that. Even Tomori has the talent to show that.
Lepaekmprt
2
thanks zouma
HERMANNO19
2
That's call "shock" to push the person above and beyond, he did the same with all the players who don't perform or not stable on their performance. So, their ego can push them to prove how good they are, now don't get me wrong. Some players just can't take criticism
Vutclpuz
1
Mourinho is 2x rubbish.. Like a drug dealer
Lol Jose was right, Zouma plays rubbish, he is rubbish
Feeadipsuy
7
Mourinho is a man who don't like hiding is feelings from his players and I like that
CJ789
2
So that’s right he is “RUBBISH” what’s Zouma thinks anything he can’t make it an excuse for racism just because he’s back? Even I’m black but when you’re rubbish you are. Don’t take your colour as an excuse for everything in this world. Screw Jose even with Lampard as the coach “ZOUMA IS RUBBISH”
BlueLionCfc
3
Mourinho is 2x rubbish.. Like a drug dealer
Douaklnsty
0
Lampard should give Kurt more playing time and stop lazy Christiesen from damaging the rear of the club
divaks
0
Older man Mourinho thinking he bigger than club, players and fan 👎👎👎
he is the man why pep is behind
Nesaiknruy_Legend
2
I couldn't agree with you more. I prefer Zouma and Rüdiger as our centre back partnership. Tomori has unbelievable talent but right now he has a lot of mistakes in him. Hopefully he'll improve with more experience. Christensen offers nothing offensively and doesn't make up enough defensively either
Exactly, I dont get what people see in Christensen. All he offers is short passes and some decent reading of the game but Zouma is better at reading the game, more defensively gifted and actually has a good long pass on him despite his people want to make him look like some dumb lug...
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
Obviously you’re like the fans you described earlier who chooses what they want to see...Christensen is the best CB now at Chelsea, he made Vardy invisible during our game against LFC
Christensen is just a fan favourite, cos he came through the academy hes getting extra protection and I'm an academy advocate but even I can see he isnt better than any of the other CBs. His ability comes at the cost of bad positioning and frailty that forced the other CB to have to do things outside their role and end up making mistakes while making him look flawless, most deceptive pkayer on the pitch the minute we went from Zouma-Chris to Zouma-Tomori the defence looked miles better...
pasabkmotu
0
Am real Chelsea fan but if I was best player in the world I will agree to play any coach for €10 a months than I play onther mouriho for £2m a week rubbish man
CalebAleb
0
you're still rubbish. You need to improve massively
segunaremo280
0
Lampard please you must use zouma on Monday for God sake... he is the best defender that Chelsea have and have strength... keep using zouma and Rudiger with time the 2 are going to be a solid rock in the defensive line... I don't know why other Chelsea fans hate that zouma so much...and to be honest the guy is really good and have the power to bully any strikers
I don't hate any Chelsea players but each players have his own time to play not like against Man Utd
Cenaes
0
Lampard please you must use zouma on Monday for God sake... he is the best defender that Chelsea have and have strength... keep using zouma and Rudiger with time the 2 are going to be a solid rock in the defensive line... I don't know why other Chelsea fans hate that zouma so much...and to be honest the guy is really good and have the power to bully any strikers
I hate Christianisen is very weak
Cenaes
0
surly Christian he looks to be more weaker ,I don't lyk his partnership
Rowbcmnz
0
And the crazy thing is, from all our defenders a highly rated defensive coach who gas managed some of the best defensive sides rates Zouma the highest out of all our CBs while fans dont, and believe me when I say i trust a professional more than fans who simply see what they want to see than what is actually happening. Sure we conceded goals with Zouma back in the side but there has been no goal we conceded where it was easily stoppable with Zouma in the side meanwhile when he isnt in the side, we still concede and its some of the most stupid goals we could concede. Personally my preferred defensive pair would be either Zouma-Rudiger or Tomori-Rudiger. Either of these partnerships satisfy me. I think Christensen is a weak link personally and everytime he plays we concede some dumb goals cos other CBs have to cover for him as his positioning at times is awful as a defender....
Obviously you’re like the fans you described earlier who chooses what they want to see...Christensen is the best CB now at Chelsea, he made Vardy invisible during our game against LFC
voaalrtz
1
atleast he was honest with you and chose not to lie.
you said all
nuybdkp
0
good thing Mourinho castigated him behind closed doors
Andy_Mac
1
And the crazy thing is, from all our defenders a highly rated defensive coach who gas managed some of the best defensive sides rates Zouma the highest out of all our CBs while fans dont, and believe me when I say i trust a professional more than fans who simply see what they want to see than what is actually happening. Sure we conceded goals with Zouma back in the side but there has been no goal we conceded where it was easily stoppable with Zouma in the side meanwhile when he isnt in the side, we still concede and its some of the most stupid goals we could concede. Personally my preferred defensive pair would be either Zouma-Rudiger or Tomori-Rudiger. Either of these partnerships satisfy me. I think Christensen is a weak link personally and everytime he plays we concede some dumb goals cos other CBs have to cover for him as his positioning at times is awful as a defender....
I couldn't agree with you more. I prefer Zouma and Rüdiger as our centre back partnership. Tomori has unbelievable talent but right now he has a lot of mistakes in him. Hopefully he'll improve with more experience. Christensen offers nothing offensively and doesn't make up enough defensively either
luwbilnu
1
He shouldn't have called him 'RUBBISH'. Even if his errors led to the defeat, Mourinho in a very nice way could have addressed that as coach. Am I communicating?
your not communicating
MaddyKotagiri
5
Zouma has enough experience in PL now, he should be more commanding at the back. Chelsea defence can improve a lot.
gerardpascal
0
Mou a funi guy....I love this game!
zeaakmp
2
I like somebody like that o
Ddoctor
1
At least he criticized him when he was alone with him not in the presence of other players or anybody else.. I don’t see any harm in that.
yepp! yo right..
denabdiklm
0
He shouldn't have called him 'RUBBISH'. Even if his errors led to the defeat, Mourinho in a very nice way could have addressed that as coach. Am I communicating?
Gündoğan
4
atleast he was honest with you and chose not to lie.
muadlpry
2
No one hates Mourinho more than Barca fans, I wonder what he did to them
Mrdiscussion
3
At least he criticized him when he was alone with him not in the presence of other players or anybody else.. I don’t see any harm in that.
shibli69
1
Older man Mourinho thinking he bigger than club, players and fan 👎👎👎
Nesaiknruy_Legend
2
And the crazy thing is, from all our defenders a highly rated defensive coach who gas managed some of the best defensive sides rates Zouma the highest out of all our CBs while fans dont, and believe me when I say i trust a professional more than fans who simply see what they want to see than what is actually happening. Sure we conceded goals with Zouma back in the side but there has been no goal we conceded where it was easily stoppable with Zouma in the side meanwhile when he isnt in the side, we still concede and its some of the most stupid goals we could concede. Personally my preferred defensive pair would be either Zouma-Rudiger or Tomori-Rudiger. Either of these partnerships satisfy me. I think Christensen is a weak link personally and everytime he plays we concede some dumb goals cos other CBs have to cover for him as his positioning at times is awful as a defender....
segunaremo280
4
Lampard please you must use zouma on Monday for God sake... he is the best defender that Chelsea have and have strength... keep using zouma and Rudiger with time the 2 are going to be a solid rock in the defensive line... I don't know why other Chelsea fans hate that zouma so much...and to be honest the guy is really good and have the power to bully any strikers
Ballondo
5
I don't see anything wrong in that. if he was rubbish then truth be told bluntly