Kurt Zouma will not be leaving Chelsea this summer, Frank Lampard has firmly stated.
Following an impressive loan spell at Everton last season, the France international is back at Stamford Bridge ahead of the new campaign but there was a decision to be made in regards to his long-term future.
The Blues have plenty of options in his position and there's a chance he could find himself being the fourth choice central defender behind David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Therefore, if the west London outfit are willing to sell Zouma then he would have been welcomed back at Goodison Park with open arms, manager Marco Silva admitted earlier in the month.
However, it's looking likely that won't be the case.
Lampard spoke to the media following Chelsea's shock 1-0 pre-season friendly loss against Kawasaki Frontale where he revealed his intentions for Zouma.
"In terms of Kurt Zouma, he's a very good defender for us, very good player, very good person and professional," Lampard told reporters. "I want him here, simple as that.
"We are competitive with the centre-backs we have in the team and he had a very good season at Everton and I can understand why they want him. He's a Chelsea player and I want him. I want him to be happy and he's working really hard.
"If he competes for a position and plays well, he plays."
It would appear that Zouma now has the chance to cement himself at Chelsea.
Something he's been determined to do for a very long time as last summer he said the plan was always to return to west London.
"I will go back, yes," he told the Guardian."I have always believed in myself since I started playing football at 16. I have always wanted to show myself at Chelsea since I have been there.
"I know my injuries stopped me in the way I wanted to play but injuries are part of football and I want to show people I can come back and play there.
"That’s why I need some game time at Everton here because they are a good team."
