Paolo Bandini joins the FC crew to weigh in on Chelsea's potential midfield options and how the addition of Jorginho could help the Blues. Chelsea manager expects Eden Hazard to stay at the club, and reveals his thoughts on new signings Arrizabalaga and Kovacic.
Everton finalised the season-long loan of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma on Friday, one day after the transfer window officially closed.
Multiple reports on deadline day said Everton had reached a deal for Zouma, but an announcement never came after the Toffees announced the additions of Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes from Barcelona.
The deal sheet for the loan agreement was submitted to the Premier League before the league's 5 p.m. deadline on Thursday, granting Everton and Chelsea some extra time to finalise the details.
The deal was finally announced on on Friday, clearing the way for the 23-year-old to move to Goodison Park, after spending last season on loan at Stoke City.
Zouma signed for Chelsea from Saint-Etienne for £12 million in January 2014, moving to Stamford Bridge six months later and establishing himself as a regular first-team presence under Jose Mourinho until an ACL injury sustained against Manchester United in Fabruary 2016 derailed his progress.
It took 11 months for Zouma to get back onto the pitch for Chelsea and he failed to gain the trust of new head coach Antonio Conte, making just 13 appearances in all competitions over the remainder of the season.
He was loaned to Stoke the following summer and appeared in 34 Premier League games but could not prevent the Potters finishing with the joint-worst defensive record in the division and suffering relegation to the Championship.
Zouma is the second Chelsea player loaned to a fellow Premier League club this summer, after Kenedy joined Newcastle on a season-long loan last month.
Everton on Thursday also acquired winger Bernard on a free transfer, while defender Mina joined from Barcelona for an initial fee of £28m and midfielder Gomes arrived on loan.
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Source: espn.co.uk