The return of Rüdiger, the dissapearance of Zouma

In football, one day you are up and the other you are down. Rarely is there a middle ground. That is what is happening to Kurt Zouma since Thomas Tuchel arrived at Chelsea with new plans and a different system.

When moving the team to three at the back, there are players that the German believes are a better fit. One of the biggest winners is Antonio Rüdiger, who seemed doomed under Frank Lampard.

While Thiago Silva has continued to be the leader of the defence, those alongside him have changed. Another player favoured by the arrival of Tuchel is César Azpilicueta, because he has played the full 90 minutes in the four matches the ex-PSG boss has been in charge of.

However, who seems to suffer the 'Tuchel effect' most is Kurt Zouma. The French centre-back played 43 matches last season, starting 40, and was a permanent fixture this season. He precisely played Lampard's last match against Luton and then disappeared.

Since Tuchel became boss on 26th January, Zouma hasn't played a single minute. 12 empty days that could end on Thursday in the FA Cup if Zouma overcomes his discomfort, because the Chelsea defence is on alert after the injury of Thiago Silva.