Chelsea boss sends warning to Everton over Kurt Zouma

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has ruled out the potential sale of defender Kurt Zouma to Everton by stating that he would like to work with the Frenchman during the forthcoming campaign.

The west London giants are currently under a transfer embargo for the next 12 months and that has meant that Lampard would have to rely on the club graduates and reserve players to freshen up the squad.

Amidst this, there has been the regular speculation that the Toffees may seek to pursue Zouma on a permanent deal but Lampard has made it clear that there is no chance of that happening.

"He's a Chelsea player and I want him. Kurt Zouma is a very good defender for us, a very good player, a very good person, a professional and I want him here, simple as that," he was quoted as saying by ESPN.

Zouma flourished with the Toffees on loan during the previous campaign where he formed an impressive partnership with Michael Keane at the heart of the defence.

Toffees boss Marco Silva has regularly spoken about the desire to sign Zouma on a permanent basis, but he may now have to look elsewhere in the search for a new centre-back.