https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/12/07/
lampard-on-zouma-s-development-and-getting-better-at-seeing-game
Lampard on Zouma's development and getting better at seeing games out
07 Dec 2020
After watching his side beat Leeds in a hard-fought encounter, Frank
Lampard reflected on improvements in defence and game management...
https://i.imgur.com/P8Zpls1.jpg
Not only is Lampard currently able to call on the services of some in-form
attackers at the top of his team but also the Premier League's top-scoring
defender and it was Kurt Zouma's impact at both ends that drew praise from
his boss after our weekend win over our old rivals.
Zouma has been a mainstay in Lampard's back four this season, starting all
but one of our 11 league matches and forming a strong centre-back
partnership alongside Thiago Silva.
With Edouard Mendy behind them, the duo have seen just three goals
conceded in the past seven games, including clean sheets against
Tottenham, Manchester United and Sevilla. Settled, secure and scoring
goals, it's no wonder the boss is happy.
'He's playing really well this season,' Lampard said of his French
defender. 'The way we're playing as a unit right now and defending as a
team helps raise standards but Kurt has to take all the credit for his
individual development.
https://i.imgur.com/mwXliUw.jpg
Zouma's powerful header edged us in front against Leeds
'He had injuries and went on loan a couple of times but he trains so well,
he doesn't miss a day, he wants to do extras and be better. Those things
for me are absolutely fundamental for a player to improve and right now
the level he's playing at week-in, week-out is brilliant.'
Lampard believes added confidence is helping the 26-year-old improve his
goals tally, which stands at four in the Premier League following his
latest headed effort against Leeds. The experience of Thiago Silva next to
him has also brought more composure to the Frenchman's game.
'The eye-catching thing is the amount of goals he's scoring from
set-pieces,' continued Lampard. 'For me, that's just him going up more
confident and with more belief in himself. He's always had size and spring
but now you're seeing him in all parts of the pitch being a real threat
aerially and doing his job.
https://i.imgur.com/JmQjl1G.jpg
Thiago Silva captained the team and led by example at the back with
another commanding display
'Thiago Silva being next to him is a great standard-bearer when he looks
left and sees him. As a unit, we look stronger and Kurt has been a big
part of that. That's why I've been so positive that he will be a big deal
for me here and he's showing that in terms of how he's playing so I'm
delighted with him.'
The Blues did not have things all their own way at the Bridge, with
Patrick Bamford firing the visitors into an early lead, forcing Lampard's
side to win from behind for the second time in three home matches. With
the score then at 2-1, opportunities were passed up and nervousness was
creeping in. Would Chelsea have held on for three points last season?
'We have got better,' Lampard said of his side's improving game
management. 'The element of this game that felt a bit like last year was
when it was 2-1, we were missing chances and you feel nervous. Hopefully
now the players are believing that we can see games out.
'There are still moments when we have to go longer and get up the pitch to
keep opponents away from our goal. We have to be secure in possession and
the players are getting better at that. It's massively important so
hopefully that belief continues to grow.
'We're in good form but this is a tough league and there will be moments
where we will need that about us. It's helped by some of the experienced
players we've brought into the team – Thiago Silva first and foremost,
but also Mendy will help us a lot as well in terms of his distribution in
seeing out games.'