Latest news emerging from Stamford Bridge via Sky Sports suggested that the Blues have been banned from engaging in any transfer market for a whole season after breaching FIFA’s transfer rules and regulations.
Article 19 of FIFA’s transfer regulations suggested that no club should sign more than 12 under-18 players but Chelsea couldn’t abide by it.
FIFA have equally fined the West London outfits a sum of £460,000 while the English FA have been told to pay £39,000 for not being able to keep accurate records of numbers of players signed by English clubs.
However, the ban does not prevent the former Premier League Champions from releasing some of their players, they are only banned from signing new players throughout the period of the sanction.
What does the ban mean to Everton’s mission to sign Chelsea loanee Kourt Zouma on permanent deal? This is one question many Chelsea and Everton fans would love to ask.
Having failed to retain his spot in the team after returning from injury last season, Zouma was loaned to the Toffees before the start of the season so as to to enjoy regular first-team action.
Many pundits and fans — including myself — tipped the Frenchman to play a second fiddle to former Barcelona star Yerri Mina but that hasn’t been the case at Goodison Park.
The French defender has been the only shining light in Everton’s unimpressive season and Marco Silva is reportedly planning to capture him on permanent deal in the next transfer market.
Unfortunately, the transfer embargo placed on Chelsea could affect Everton’s chances of luring the star out of Stamford Bridge next season.
Gary Cahill, who is not getting any younger, could be released by Sarri after this season as he appears surplus to requirements.
Defensive midfielder Danny Drinkwater who can also feature as centre-back is likely to part ways with the Stamford Bridge outfits by the end of this campaign having failed to get his desired game-time.
Christensen continue to be prime target for many European powerhouses including Juventus and Barcelona; while, right wing-back Victor Moses could permanently join Fenerbahce base on the clause in his contract with the Turkish side.
Therefore, it is very much unlikely seeing Zouma leave Stamford Bridge as there is no opportunity to sign his replacement.
Everton might need to look elsewhere in the next transfer market if they must bolster their defensive unit ahead of 2019-20 season.