The 20-year-old has burst into first-team action this season.
Kurt Zouma signed for Chelsea in January 2014 for a fee around £12m, remaining with Saint-Etienne on loan for the remainder of the 2013-14, and has been thrown into first-team action in the last few weeks.
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Zouma started alongside captain John Terry and ahead of Gary Cahill in the second-leg victory over Liverpool, helping his side to a victory with another outstanding performance.
The 20-year-old has adapted to English football expertly, partnering both John Terry and Gary Cahill, proving to be the real-deal alongside the experienced internationals.
Here’s five reasons why Zouma is the future heart of the Chelsea defence:
Pace
In getting a start for the second-leg Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool, in which the Blues won 2-1 on aggregate, Mourinho stated the key motive for selecting Zouma ahead of Cahill was due to his superb pace.
Chelsea conceded a goal in the first-leg when Raheem Sterling used his speed to ease past Cahill, and the Blues boss saw the 20-year-old as capable of dealing with the Liverpool winger ahead of the England international.
John Terry is renowned for his ability to read the game, yet has on occasion suffered with his lack of pace, and while Cahill is quicker, neither are particularly quick along the ground.