Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma has named manager Jose Mourinho as ‘the best coach in the world’ in an interview with Telefoot. The 20-year-old has played in every Premier League game of the season after making 26 appearances of the Champions last season.
"For me, he is the best coach in the world," said the young Frenchman. “When he's not happy he shouts a lot. He has taught me a lot. He does not like losing and expects a lot from me.”
Mourinho, who managed another young Frenchman in the form of Rafael Varane, while at Real Madrid is using the Galacticos’ example to train Zouma and inspire him so that he can cement his name in the Chelsea rearguard and Zouma has reacted well to the advice as one can see in his performances this season.
“Last year he spoke to me a lot about Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane. He told me I was making the same mistakes as him,” remarked Zouma.
Zouma, who scored his first Premier League goal for the London-based team in the London derby against Arsenal, has restricted club captain John Terry to a role on the bench, was full of praise of the Chelsea No: 26 stating that the latter had been helping him in harnessing his defensive skills as well.
Terry is like a teacher: Zouma
"Terry, a legend, is always here and is like my teacher when I was little. He is an example for me and tells me a lot of things," the defender concluded.
Zouma has been in the news recently after accidently calling teammate Diego Costa “a cheat” in the post match interview after the 2-0 win over Arsenal. The former Saint-Etienne player, who signed for Chelsea in 2014, later clarified his stance on the issue by saying, “Sorry for any confusion. English is not my first language. I did not mean to accuse anyone of cheating.”
Chelsea have been struggling in the Premier League this season with just two wins in seven matches as they aim to retain their Premier League crown as they lie in 15th place with just eight points. The Champions did, however, show signs of recovery as they came back from two goals down to draw their last match against Newcastle.
Chelsea next travel to the Dragao to face FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League and would then hope to return top winning ways in the Premier League as they take on the Saints at Stamford Bridge.