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Three's a crowd

Kurt Zouma keeps Chelsea defenders on their toes by revealing he is ready to slot into new formation

French defender's return to fitness will keep Gary Cahill and Co fighting for their place in Antonio Conte's high-flying side

Kurt Zouma has been training and playing in Chelsea's development squad

KURT ZOUMA has revealed he is ready to slot into Antonio Conte's back-three when he is is fully fit.

Chelsea have won five Premier League games on the bounce and conceded NONE while playing in the Italian boss' preferred 3-4-3 formation.

 Kurt Zouma has been training and playing in Chelsea's development squad
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Kurt Zouma has been training and playing in Chelsea's development squadCredit: Getty Images

Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta have made up Conte's defense but will be kept on their toes by Zouma's injury progress.


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Zouma, who is recovering from cruciate knee ligament damage he suffered in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in February, has been adapting to the new system in the Blues' development squad.

The French centre-back, 22, said: "We’ve played with three at the back in the last two games as well, which has been good for me to understand and learn the position a bit better.

 Chelsea's young defender revealed he has adapted to the three-at-the-back formation
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Chelsea's young defender revealed he has adapted to the three-at-the-back formationCredit: Getty Images

 

"I’ve not played in that system much in my career but this is what the first team are using at the moment so it was good for me to experience it."

Zouma, who arrived from St Etienne in a £12.5million deal in January 2014, is training with Chelsea's Under-23s in order to ease his way back to full fitness.

And the defender admits he has been trying to pass on his experience to the young blood as much as he can.

 Gary Cahill and David Luiz have impressed as two of Antonio Conte's back three in recent weeks
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Gary Cahill and David Luiz have impressed as two of Antonio Conte's back three in recent weeksCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Cesar Azpilicueta has also shone in the defensive line at Chelsea
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Cesar Azpilicueta has also shone in the defensive line at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images
 Kurt Zouma says he has passed on his experience to the youngsters at Chelsea
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Kurt Zouma says he has passed on his experience to the youngsters at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images

He told club website: "It has been very nice to be back because I haven’t played for such a long time.

"I have been training with the development squad for a couple of weeks and I’ve enjoyed the experience a lot. They have some very good players so the training and matches have been very good.

"I have been going step by step with my rehabilitation and the games were a good test for me and my knee. It’s been nice to be with the boys on a game day, travelling with them and trying to give out some good advice to them."

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