‘He hates defeat, he hates it:’ Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma reveals manager Frank Lampard can’t stand losing ahead of do-or-die Champions League clash against Lille
- Kurt Zouma has played 13 full matches in a row at centre back since September
- The Frenchman divulged that Chelsea manager Frank Lampard ‘hates defeat’
- Chelsea have lost three of their last five games after Saturday’s defeat to Everton
- They must win against Lille to be sure of Champions League progression
Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma admits that manager Frank Lampard ‘hates defeat’ as the Blues look to arrest their poor recent form.
Lampard’s side have only won one of their past five games in all competitions, and slumped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday.
They face Lille on Tuesday night in their final Champions League group game knowing that only a win will guarantee a spot in the knockout stages, and Zouma spoke on Monday about Lampard’s winning mentality as Blues boss.
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is a regular starter under Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge
Lampard’s winning mentality as a player reaped the rewards with 13 trophies at Chelsea
‘He hates a defeat, he hates it. We were frustrated with the defeat [Everton on Saturday] of course,’ Zouma told the official club website.
‘I think that’s a message for us to answer. We have to play with personality and show character because we lost at the weekend. It’s clear he wants to motivate us and we’re already motivated for this game.
‘He wants us to be more responsible in the games and take more risks. He knows the quality that we have in the squad with very talented players.
‘We have to play the game like we play in training, be good, take risks and play without fear.’
Zouma has enjoyed a prolonged spell in the starting XI under Lampard – who won 13 trophies as a player at Stamford Bridge – this season after spending the last campaign on-loan at Everton.
The Frenchman has made 23 appearances in all competitions, and has played 90 minutes in every Chelsea fixture since September 28 – 13 games on the trot.
No doubt Zouma is very grateful to Lampard for his first proper run in the first-team since joining from Saint-Etienne in 2014.
Chelsea enter the final matchday knowing that victory over Lille will take them into the last-16
Zouma in action against Everton at the weekend – Chelsea’s third defeat in five matches
‘He’s the kind of manager who comes to us when we make a mistake and tells us but he’s very calm as well,’ Zouma said.
‘He understands the game because he’s been involved in it for a long time and he’s there to give us advice.
‘He’s the first one to say when we make a mistake and we try to make it right in the next game.’