Lampard names 3 reasons for Zouma's improvement at Chelsea

The Blues star is the highest-scoring defender in Europe after finding the back of the net yet again in the win over Leeds.

Frank Lampard reckons Kurt Zouma’s improved form comes because of more self-confidence, hard work, and having Thiago Silva alongside him.

The Frenchman took his tally up to four goals in the Premier League by smashing home a powerful header on Saturday to put Chelsea ahead against Leeds United during the second half on route to a sound 3-1 victory.

The three points have kept the Blues in the thick of the title battle up in third-place in the standings.

And while Zouma sits level with Kai Havertz as the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer this season on four goals across all competitions, he’s also played a fundamental role in the improved defensive showings at Stamford Bridge.

“He’s playing really well this season,” said Lampard as quoted on the club’s website.

“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.

“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.

“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.

Chelsea's top scorers in the Premier League this season:

4 – Timo Werner
4 – Kurt Zouma pic.twitter.com/htOeFShL7i

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 5, 2020

The Chelsea boss added: “The eye-catching thing is the amount of goals he’s scoring from set-pieces.

“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.

“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.”