Kurt Zouma has praised Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho 's role in his rapid development that has seen the Frenchman become a contender at centre back for both his club and country . The 20-year-old defender has made 20 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge , and Mourinho 's guidance has seen him keep established starter Gary Cahill out of the side at times . Zouma 's form earned a France call-up for the current international break , and he could even earn his first cap in their friendly against Denmark on Sunday night . Kurt Zouma has praised Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho 's role in his rapid development with the Blues . Zouma , seen here attempting to tackle Blaise Matuidi , has been called up to the France squad recently . Zouma trains with his French team-mates ahead of their game against Denmark on Sunday evening . Zouma said that Mourinho puts a lot of pressure on his players , but he seems to be thriving under it . And Chelsea 's breakthrough star credits his impressive showings that have led him to this point in his career to the manager who signed him for £12million from St Etienne last January . When asked what he had learnt under Mourinho , Zouma said : 'To hate defeat . When you lose it 's out of bounds to continue as normal in the evening . When you play for Chelsea you must not accept losing . 'Mourinho puts pressure on all his players . He is very demanding and wants perfection . 'In defence , he asks me to move tactically and to be well placed to listen to John ( Terry ) and Gary Cahill around me . Initially , I was obsessed with the ball and did not watch players behind me enough , but it 's something I 've been working on . ' Gary Cahill joins Zouma in celebrating a goal , and the Frenchman has been told to stick close to Cahill . Mourinho has told Zouma to work closely to Cahill and John Terry in order to listen and learn from them . Mourinho has asked Zouma to 'move tactically ' and to focus on the runs players make rather than just the ball . Zouma played in midfield for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup final and was then deployed there again by Mourinho against West Ham United and Paris Saint-Germain . While Zouma was surprised to play there , he did so under specific instructions . 'In midfield , it 's different , ' he said . 'He ( Mourinho ) asks me to use my power and to stay in place to help the defence . ' Although the young defender has found a place in Didier Deschamps ' squad for the current set of fixtures , he does not yet see himself as a potential contender for Euro 2016 , which the French are set to host . The 20-year-old centre back started against Tottenham in midfield in the Capital One Cup final this month . Zouma impressed in midfield and was selected there again for Chelsea 's trip to face West Ham the next week . Juan Cuadrado , Zouma , Loic Remy and Eden Hazard celebrate with the Capital One Cup on March 1 . 'Honestly , I think I have to play a little more to be worthy of a place , ' he said in an interview with L'Equipe . ' I 'll work hard . They ( the other centre backs ) are really strong and they have the experience . But when you have a goal , you should not look at who is in front of you , you should fight . That is all . ' Zouma arrives at the French national football team training base in Clairefontaine earlier this week .
Chelsea is enjoying life at Kurt Zouma after his transfer last January . Frenchman stayed at St Etienne on loan until moving in the summer . He says Jose Mourinho has had a big influence on his recent development . Zouma says when at a club like Kurt Zouma 'you must not accept losing '