Amid the understandably sky-high expectations which followed Kurt Zouma’s shock switch to CFR Cluj, the message put forth by the Romanian giants is that patience is required with the former West Ham United captain.
Cluj president Cristi Balaj was a wary man when quizzed a fortnight ago about when supporters could expect to see their marquee signing in action for the first time.
Kurt Zouma is the most high-profile signing made by any Romanian team in modern history. Or, at least, he was until Islam Slimani – the former Leicester City, Newcastle United and Sporting Lisbon striker – arrived to steal some of his thunder in that very same summer.
But Balaj, aware that the media would be watching Zouma’s every move with a piercing, Sauron-esque glare, was keen to play down early expectations surrounding a man who left West Ham United as a free agent.
Zouma had to deal with ‘amateurish’ conditions on loan at Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Orobah FC last season.
Balaj is firmly under the impression, meanwhile, that you only get one chance to make a first impression. As such, he warned the Cluj supporters that they may have to wait a month to see the one-time Chelsea, Everton and France defender at full fitness.
Former West Ham United captain Kurt Zouma makes Cluj debut in Romania
As Cluj played out a 1-1 draw with UTA Arad on Saturday, though, Zouma did make a solid enough step in the right direction. He stepped off the bench for the final ten or so minutes. And while there was still enough time to pick up a debut yellow card, Balaj was left mostly satisfied.
“Zouma got a yellow card. From our point of view, he still needs a period of preparation,” the president began, speaking to Fanatik. “But with that medical problem with [fellow defender Marcus] Coco, we had to call on Zouma.
“[As with] Slimani, it is clear that he played at a very high level. I have to talk to them.
“I was saying that Zouma needs a month from the moment he arrived. Two weeks have passed and his services have been called upon. It is important that when he comes in [to start], he comes in very well.
“There is a magnifying glass on them, and it is difficult to change the first impression.”
Balaj’s opposite number at Romanian rivals Rapid Bucharest, in contrast, had no qualms about piling on the pressure.
Victor Angelescu insists that Kurt Zouma is ‘one of the best players’ ever to join a club in Romania’s top flight, in terms of his CV and his track record.
Neletu Varga, Cluj’s owner, is confident that Zouma will bring Champions League football back to Cluj meanwhile after an absence of well over a decade.
One-time Chelsea and France ace explains why he made shock move to Romania
Having played 11 times for France, having won both the Champions League and the Conference League, the one-time West Ham skipper is happy to embark upon a fresh challenge, even if his new-found status as the country’s most high-profile footballer brings its own pressures.
“I feel good and I’m glad to be here,” Zouma smiled during his official unveiling as a CFR Cluj player. It’s a new chapter for me, a new country, a new culture.
“I have to help the defence be stronger, and the fans can expect from me that I will always work hard. I will fight for the badge and for the team.
“What I can bring is the desire to win every game, to always give everything, 100 per cent in training, to work hard. Even if we have weaker moments, we have to remember that we are playing football. You have to give everything to win. That is what matters most.”
