Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet says manager Frank Lampard shouldn't write off Kurt Zouma.

While critical of Zouma for defeat at Sheffield United, Poyet still believes Zouma has plenty to offer Chelsea after an encouraging performance against Crystal Palace last week.

"I'm not going to take out [Kurt] Zouma because he's a very strong defender," said Poyet.

"Without going too far, the tackle the other day against Crystal Palace in the last minute, there are not many players who can do that.

“But he was static [against Sheffield United]. He was static in everything. Even in the last goal which everyone will remember for Rudiger not kicking the ball away but he [Zouma] doesn't even try to stop the cross.

“He's running but he didn't even stretch himself, he didn't even have to stop, it was like he was having one of those days where you're not feeling well and you're not really there, concentrating enough.

“In football I say a team can carry one player in a game, two players [more difficult], more than two you can't carry because the opposition can play. And that's what happened to Chelsea, there were too many who were not at the level you need to be to win football games."