Chelsea's Zouma recalls 'long journey' back to starting lineup

Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Everton - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

(Reuters) - Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma says his return to the club's starting lineup is the culmination of a three-year struggle when he was seriously injured and then sent out on loan to two Premier League clubs.

Zouma, who suffered a knee injury in 2016 that sidelined him for nine months, was loaned to Stoke City and Everton in the last two seasons before new Chelsea manager Frank Lampard made him a part of his first team plans.