Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 3:54 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 3:54 p.m.
The case of the French defender Kurt Zouma (31 years old) at CFR Cluj became the subject of the press in England as well. The Brits reacted after Gruia-based club officials confirmed the 30-year-old defender will “99 per cent” leave in the winter due to medical problems with both knees.
Journalists note that the move, initially seen as a huge transfer for the Super League, quickly turned into a fiasco.
The English ironize the situation: “It wasn't what they had in mind when they transferred Zouma”
British publications write that the Transylvanians hoped that Zouma would lead them to European performances:
“Kurt Zouma's £45,000-a-week transfer has turned into a nightmareWest Ham's hero “can barely walk”, was the title of the article published by hammers.news.
“It's fair to say that a modest 0-1 loss to Petrolul Ploiesti was not what they had in mind when they transferred Zouma, with the idea, at least half, of teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.”
The English emphasize that the only match started as a starter at CFR, the failure with Petrolul, score 0-1, could also remain the last:
“That rare appearance as a starter could be the last. A harsh reflection on a footballer who was expected to parade in Cluj, like a Romanian Rolls Royce“, noted the quoted source.
The reality from Cluj: only 197 minutes for Kurt Zouma
Although Zouma's CV was impressive on arrival (Champions League, two Premier Leagues with Chelsea and a Conference League winner with West Ham), the French defender has not confirmed at all.
Minutes played at CFR Cluj:
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11 minutes into his debut against UTA Arad (1-1), plus a yellow card
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85 minutes at Petrolul – CFR 1-0, another yellow card
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90 minutes only in the Romanian Cup, with the second division CSM Slatina (4-0)
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The last appearance was against Dinamo, stage #15 of the Superliga, they entered at 1-0, and CFR lost 1-2 after conceding two goals in two minutes
In total, the French defender has amassed 197 minutes in all competitions
I think so, that would be normal (not if Zouma will leave Gruia). We need to talk to him too. He is very positive, a good boy, but we don't need good boys, we need players who are fit. He is a quality boy, with character, he has an impressive physique, but some problems with both knees.
– declared Iuliu Muresan two weeks ago
