Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Kurt Zouma Targeted by Blues for January Bid

Jose Mourinho is keen on a winter move for St. Etienne defender Kurt Zouma, regardless of recent events that have tarnished the youngster's reputation.

Zouma was recently banned for 10 matches following a horror tackle on Sochaux's Thomas Guerbert, breaking his opponent's leg and earning the ire of many onlookers in the process.

However, it's apparent that the Chelsea boss sees potential in the 19-year-old and is hopeful of bringing his talents to Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window.

The Mirror's Alan Nixon claims Chelsea aren't the only interested party, however, saying that a number of Europe's leading powers are currently in the hunt. An excerpt from the report reads:

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Zouma, who has already played over 50 senior games, is eligible for the Champions League to add to Chelsea’s hurry to get him signed.

Mourinho has John Terry, 33, reaching the veteran stage and has chopped and changed David Luiz and Gary Cahill. A new colossus is becoming a priority.   

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Zouma is yet to make his senior debut for the French national team but has been a steady riser among his nation's youth ranks, featuring at Under-16 level all the way through to the Under-21s.

Chelsea have been far from at their best so far this season, but if one were to pick out a particular weakness in the Blues' make-up, their defence has looked surprisingly below par.        

According to Statto.com, the West Londoners have managed clean sheets in just 27 percent of their fixtures this season, this being 10 percent lower than the ratio they finished with in the last campaign.

Teenager Zouma is now suspended until the end of January, but it's thought that a fee of £10 million may be enough to tempt the French outfit into selling. Such a figure is more than within Chelsea's capabilities.

The teenager has started 10 Ligue 1 matches this term, during which his club have managed to keep three clean sheets, and his presence will be missed over the next month.

Having said that, the suspension may prove good timing for the Chelsea, who plan to capture the prodigious talent at a time when his club must be questioning his reliability.