ZOUMA’S SURVIVAL ‘STRESS’

KURT ZOUMA admits the pressure is tougher at the bottom than the top.

The defender won his second Premier League title last season with Chelsea and is now fighting a very different battle on loan at Stoke.

But Zouma (winning the League Cup with Chelsea in 2015, below) believes his loan spell will ultimately make him a better player.

The France international, 23, said: “It’s maybe harder (at Stoke) because you don’t want to go in the Championship. But football is football, you have to win games.

“We need to pick up points and are under a little bit of stress. “But we know that, with the quality we have, we are going to get some points and win games.

“This is good for my experience. I’m still young and I’ve learned a lot.

“There is more defensive work compared with Chelsea, where you have the ball more and control the game.

“Stoke is a bit different, it’s a bit more defensive work, especially when we play the top teams. But that’s what I’m here for, to improve myself.”

Paul Lambert – whose men face Manchester City tonight – has been hugely impressed with Zouma and would like to sign him if they stay up.

Zouma (below) added: “I hope Stoke are going to stay in the Premier League. My target is to go back to Chelsea, but first I need to do it right here.”