Wednesday 29 April 2015 10:39, UK
Kurt Zouma has shrugged off 'boring' jibes and insists points are more important than plaudits as Chelsea seek to close in on Premier League glory.
Arsenal fans sang "boring, boring Chelsea" after their 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Sunday - prompting a staunch defence from Jose Mourinho - but the stalemate means the Blues are just six points from ensuring their first league title in five years.
Zouma, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's trip to Leicester, admits Chelsea have had to adopt a more defensive approach to stay top of the pile but insists results are more important than how they win.
"No, I don’t like this kind of sentence but the supporters can say what they want as we have to be focused on our game," Zouma said when asked what he thought of the 'boring' barb.
"The most important thing is that we keep going and keep winning points.
"I think we play the same but more defensively because we know that everybody wants to beat us and we are focused on only the points.
"There’s a target for everybody, we are almost there. We have to win the two next matches. We are very determined - all season we've work very hard to win this league."
Zouma spent three seasons at St Etienne before joining Chelsea and said his time in a competitive Ligue 1 was good preparation for the intensity of the Premier League.
"They (the fans) are jealous because their team is not top of the league and they want to be top of the league like everyone wants to; that's normal," he said.
"Everyone wants to beat you so for us we have to be concentrated and be focused."
Progress
The French international has made 16 appearances for the Blues this season and feels he has made progress under the wings of team-mates John Terry and Gary Cahill.
"I learn very hard tactically with John Terry, Gary Cahill – two great defenders," Zouma added.
"Now I know that when I have to drop away from the striker or go behind I have to look at the striker sometimes so I learn a lot.
"Since the first day when I came (Terry) spoke with me all the time, Gary Cahill the same.
"They spoke with me saying: 'We have to play like this'. In England it's different than in France; you have to be ready and focused on the striker and the ball so they spoke with me a lot."
Chelsea can seal the title against Crystal Palace - live on Super Sunday - if they beat Leicester but Zouma is wary of a side that has climbed out of the relegation zone with four wins in a row.
"The Premier League for me is the best league in the world because before the game you cannot say we are going to win," he said.
"Leicester won four matches so we realise it will be difficult - but we have to make it difficult for them."
Watch the full interview throughout the day on Sky Sports News HQ and then watch Leicester v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
