Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has told Everton to forget signing Kurt Zouma, insisting he wants him to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for a place this season.

Zouma played alongside David Luiz in central defence for the first half of a pre-season defeat against J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale on Friday.

The 24-year-old France international impressed on loan at Goodison Park last season and Lampard’s view will be a blow for Marco Silva who was keen to recruit him on a permanent basis, report the Daily Mail.

‘He’s a Chelsea player and I want him,’ said the new Chelsea manager.

‘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.

‘We are competitive with the centre backs we have in the team and he had a very good season at Everton. I understand why they want him.

‘I want him to be happy. He’s working really hard and if he competes for a position and plays well this season he plays.

‘On Mason Mount? Mason is part of the first team squad this year,’ said Lampard.

‘This performance was really good, a continuation of the way he played for me last season.

‘His quality will improve. This was an early glimmer of we hope to see going forward.’

Kenedy, who has only one year remaining on his contract at Chelsea and was expected to leave this summer after 18 months on loan at Newcastle, was another who shone amid the disappointment.

‘If Kenedy continues to show this sort of attitude and play the way he played today he’s given a great case to stay and be part of the squad,’ said Lampard.

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