Kurt Zouma will not give up on his ambition to establish himself at Chelsea, despite agreeing to ­another season’s loan at a Premier League rival. Having spent a year at Stoke City, Zouma agreed a move to Everton on deadline day and is expected to make his first start for his new club in tonight’s Carabao Cup tie with Rotherham United.

Regardless how well the campaign goes, he remains determined to return to Stamford Bridge and become a first-team regular.

“I have always wanted to show myself at Chelsea since I have been there,” said Zouma. “It comes from my mentality. I have always believed in myself since I started playing at 16. I know my injuries stopped me in the way I wanted to play, but injuries are part of football and I want to show people I can come back and play there. That’s why I need some game time at Everton because they are a good team.”

Zouma says Maurizio Sarri, Chelsea’s coach, agreed to the temporary switch to Merseyside because of the numerous centre-back options at Stamford Bridge.

“Because the manager arrived late we didn’t know what was the plan of the club,” said Zouma.