Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma out for 6 months with ACL damage

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma will undergo knee surgery that will rule him out the rest of the season and the European Championship for France.

The 21-year-old Zouma, who has been capped twice by France, landed awkwardly during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United and injured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Zouma is "expected to be out for approximately six months," Chelsea said Monday.

Zouma has started 16 of the last 19 Chelsea matches, displacing Gary Cahill as first-choice center back alongside captain John Terry, who announced he is not receiving a new contract for next season.

"Scan today has shown I injured my ACL," Zouma tweeted. "I will have surgery this week & will come back stronger."

It is another blow for Chelsea during a miserable season. The team is 13th in the Premier League after winning the title last season.