Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma has admitted he spent time 'in the shadows' as he fought back from his injury hell to return to the first-team at Stamford Bridge.
Zouma was on the cusp of establishing himself as an important player for the west London side when he tore a cruciate ligament against Manchester United in February 2016.
After recovering from the problem, he moved to Stoke and then spent last season on loan at Everton.
While the Toffees were keen to bring him back to Goodison Park this summer, manager Frank Lampard decided to keep him at Chelsea.
An injury to Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz's exit to Arsenal has given Zouma a chance in Chelsea's first three games of the season.
The 24-year-old revealed the tough journey he had been on to get back into the side at Chelsea.
'It has been a very, very long journey,' Zouma said. 'I don't want to talk about that now because that is the past, but I fought very hard.
'People don't know, people don't see but I was in the shadows, working hard to get back because I had a very, very bad injury.
'I was off for one year but people forget that and don't see. But for me, I always believed in myself. My family was always there behind me, supporting me and now I am back here, I am very happy to play here. I just want to keep going.
'I came here and wanted to play. I am in a big club and everyone here wants to play. The competition is very hard and you can see in the squad, there are a lot of talented players so when you train, you have to do it right.'
Kvñg Êmmyštâr
1
Shout up you did not learn any improvement from the loan you went. See how Luiz gives long ball's to stickers
U can't even spell striker [byebye]
ChelseaFanBoy
0
Be the next legend of defender of Chelsea!!! Go Zouma,go
koludotun
0
see Zuma Rudigga partnership
Bobsin
1
Shout up you did not learn any improvement from the loan you went. See how Luiz gives long ball's to stickers
Go and watch zouma highlights 2016 and see how he defend. He’s a beast then
tinadoprt
0
Go on Zouma!
Teccilu
1
Shout up you did not learn any improvement from the loan you went. See how Luiz gives long ball's to stickers
You're senseless.. Have you ever kicked a ball?
Becadiotz
0
Shout up you did not learn any improvement from the loan you went. See how Luiz gives long ball's to stickers
Allison123
1
Christensen is very lazy. we needZoumaandtonyrudiger
You lack sense bro
wiacluyz
4
let frank use Zuma and rudiger
booiklmnoz
0
Good lucky
Mc-anthony
2
ive seen an Improvement since manu....
faith1984
0
The three games you have featured this season, you only impressed me in the Liverpool match. Hope you improve because Rudiger is around.
jieceip
1
Christensen is very lazy. we needZoumaandtonyrudiger
kokbepsu
0
confidence is the key bro good luck
elvisusoro
0
You are always in a hurry when having the ball sometimes,be calm and pass the ball. Your reading of the game needs improvement and always keep an eye on the player next to you not always on the ball,it should be both,Overall you did well yesterday but you should have marked Ndidi not Azpilicueta since you are taller than Cesar but you were totally free and it didn't help and we conceded a goal we should have prevented. You need to improve since Rudiger is about to be fully fit
lovely write up
zowcekt
0
You are always in a hurry when having the ball sometimes,be calm and pass the ball. Your reading of the game needs improvement and always keep an eye on the player next to you not always on the ball,it should be both,Overall you did well yesterday but you should have marked Ndidi not Azpilicueta since you are taller than Cesar but you were totally free and it didn't help and we conceded a goal we should have prevented. You need to improve since Rudiger is about to be fully fit
Nice writing.. Meaningful message
Bedcinot
1
zouma I hope With Rudiger you will improve.. good luck. blues for life
tony3115
0
can't believe I wasted my 1000Af coins on Chelsea yesterday
Thanks let me try and how do you with draw if you want
Dasalla
0
How do you use those coins I have tried but I can't put them on bet
when u click on the match u wanna bet.. follow this steps
BabaBlue1
1
Sure, we the supporters got expectations, but please, let's be human. Desperation leads to unsportsmanlike behaviours. Individuals or teams could fall on hard times. That's life.
Dasalla
0
can't believe I wasted my 1000Af coins on Chelsea yesterday
u can only use them to Bet matches on All Football..click on the match u wanna bet and follow the steps I will give u
hembdeirz
2
Please go back to the shadows and stay there
tony3115
0
can't believe I wasted my 1000Af coins on Chelsea yesterday
How do you use those coins I have tried but I can't put them on bet
maxxie84
0
can't believe I wasted my 1000Af coins on Chelsea yesterday
how ?
Dasalla
1
can't believe I wasted my 1000Af coins on Chelsea yesterday
nobbdotuz
0
Let's not kid ourselves, straight to the bench when rudiger returns
Herdex31
0
You are always in a hurry when having the ball sometimes,be calm and pass the ball. Your reading of the game needs improvement and always keep an eye on the player next to you not always on the ball,it should be both,Overall you did well yesterday but you should have marked Ndidi not Azpilicueta since you are taller than Cesar but you were totally free and it didn't help and we conceded a goal we should have prevented. You need to improve since Rudiger is about to be fully fit
absolutely right
nuybdkp
0
he always perform with other teams.. I don't why he can't do it in Chelsea
dat's very true
Mehklstz
0
You are always in a hurry when having the ball sometimes,be calm and pass the ball. Your reading of the game needs improvement and always keep an eye on the player next to you not always on the ball,it should be both,Overall you did well yesterday but you should have marked Ndidi not Azpilicueta since you are taller than Cesar but you were totally free and it didn't help and we conceded a goal we should have prevented. You need to improve since Rudiger is about to be fully fit
Peele Mr analyzer
klenamwacc
6
You are always in a hurry when having the ball sometimes,be calm and pass the ball. Your reading of the game needs improvement and always keep an eye on the player next to you not always on the ball,it should be both,Overall you did well yesterday but you should have marked Ndidi not Azpilicueta since you are taller than Cesar but you were totally free and it didn't help and we conceded a goal we should have prevented. You need to improve since Rudiger is about to be fully fit
kehadelpru
1
he always perform with other teams.. I don't why he can't do it in Chelsea
Runekntuyz
0
this team will win something if they stay together. i believe in them. the blues 💙💙💙
Zesabikrt
0
I'm glad u r over ur injury problem but lets face facts you are not ready for this level of football you obviously worse than when ugot injury
You need help #hater
Naccilmost
0
I'm glad u r over ur injury problem but lets face facts you are not ready for this level of football you obviously worse than when ugot injury
bro u lie
nambahu
5
Zouma is always trying his best
haryourlah5233
2
waiting for rudiger , so dat we can ave two best centre back in Epl this season
Ceybptuz
0
I'm glad u r over ur injury problem but lets face facts you are not ready for this level of football you obviously worse than when ugot injury
😂😂😂😂😂
Hacker65
6
Thats what it is! We must believe in ourself!
fawbcelmuy
4
That's the spirit bro Zouma
depdmnsy
4
I liked how the guy played yesterday he defended so well
ledbepsy
1
I'm glad u r over ur injury problem but lets face facts you are not ready for this level of football you obviously worse than when ugot injury
tohabemnu
4
keep going, Kurt!💙