The Sport Matrix: Thursday 30 October 2014

‘Fantastic’ Zouma a prospect for Blues

Chelsea’s search for the defender who will fill the void when John Terry eventually retires will become straightforward if Kurt Zouma can fulfil the potential he showed for the club, as he featured in their victory at Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup. Fellow defender Gary Cahill enthused over the 20-year-old’s talent: “He is a big guy, powerful, good in the air, a fantastic talent for one so young.”

Murray aims for Paris Masters win

Andy Murray defeated Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-4 at the Paris Masters, as the Scot moved to within one win of qualifying for London’s World Tour Finals. “My goal is to try to win this tournament,” Murray said after earning a third-round tie with Grigor Dimitrov. “I still have a chance of moving up the rankings this year. Whatever happens this week has an effect on the middle of next year.”

Monk’s wife tweets back over fan letter

Garry Monk’s wife Lexy has reacted furiously after a Swansea fan delivered a letter to her home complaining about her husband’s management. It was dropped off after the defeat by Liverpool in the Capital One Cup. Lexy Blackwell posted on Twitter: “Absolutely incensed a neighbour has the audacity2hand deliver a letter moaning at Garry’s handling of things/everything he’s doing wrong.”

Haven’t we seen the 2018 World Cup logo somewhere before...?

No sooner had the Russia 2018 organising committee unveiled the logo for the next World Cup than wags around the world had started to take the mickey out of it. The logo claims to take inspiration from Russian art and the Soviet space programme. Sepp Blatter was suitably fawning over it at the unveiling on Tuesday night. But it is difficult to shake the notion that it looks like Roger from American Dad or a Finding Nemo-style clownfish. Or maybe it is just us.

Bath could sign scrum-half Genia

Bath could secure the signature of highly rated scrum-half Will Genia. The Australian, who is in London at the start of Australia’s five-match tour of the British Isles and France, indicated he would be seeking a move to Europe following next year’s World Cup.