Why Chelsea Must Keep Faith in Kurt Zouma for the Long Term

The loan signing of Radamel Falcao this week has hardly captured the imagination at Chelsea.

After a disappointing 18 months, the 29-year-old Colombian looks a far less daunting proposition than when in his pomp.

Falcao tore through defences—including Chelsea's—and was arguably the best out-and-out striker in the world. Injury has changed that, though, with his four goals for Manchester United last term the biggest indicator that his powers have waned significantly.

There's still a whole summer for Chelsea to finish their business in the transfer market, although the faint sound of alarm bells can be heard.

The progress we thought we'd see hasn't come about just yet. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's wallet has remained closed, and the marquee signing Chelsea need is yet to arrive.

It's why Chelsea's youngsters are growing in importance.

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They are, after all, the future of the club. But without more reinforcements being added to Jose Mourinho's squad, they're going to be needed more than ever in the present.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the flag bearer for the academy graduates, his emergence hopefully paving the way for more young talent to emerge.

It's Kurt Zouma who's the shining example for how a young player signed by Chelsea can excel to become a regular and not follow the usual route of being loaned out.

Of course, Zouma spent the first six months of his Chelsea career back at the club from where Mourinho signed him. When given his chance last season, however, the 20-year-old made it count.

John Terry is such a big figure at Stamford Bridge for much more than simply being the captain. There's a certain air of authority that comes with the position, yet arguably his connection to Chelsea's past, present and future is of more importance.

It's a notion we hear expressed often, that clubs need to have a core group within the dressing room to give the rest direction. They need to show their teammates the traditions of the club, maintain the values and ethos that got them to where they are.

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For the past decade, no other player has embodied the Chelsea spirit more than Terry. Along with Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech, he's been the West London statesman.

Three of that quartet are gone now, leaving Terry as the last man standing. It's now time to pass the baton to the next generation, the way Marcel Desailly did when he gave Terry the captain's arm band at Chelsea.

Zouma's still learning his trade, so whether he is captain material is something we'll discover in the years that come.

It isn't about that, though. His debut campaign as a Chelsea player was filled with such promise; we know Mourinho can use him as a vital part of his ongoing rebuilding project.

Winning the Premier League wasn't the end game for Mourinho and Chelsea. It was just the beginning.

The ground work has been laid, yet there is plenty more to do to ensure this generation of players can emulate the previous regime.

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Foundations aren't built around 29-year-old strikers who are suffering a career crisis. Falcao is in the Last Chance Saloon now, and just how much Chelsea will get out of him is anyone's guess. For whatever reason he has been signed, the loan tells us it's a short-term solution to Mourinho's needs.

Further back in defence, Zouma's ability and age is quite another matter. He's a symbol of Chelsea's future and for their long-term prosperity, it's his like that will be more beneficial than aging stars.

Loftus-Cheek shows academy players can graduate to the first-team at Stamford Bridge; Zouma's the example for the rest that young players at Chelsea are far more than transfer make-weights in the loan system.

If we're talking precedent, it's the biggest one a young player can make.

Zouma is much more than a defender to Chelsea. He's a figurehead, and Mourinho must ensure he doesn't slip off the radar.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.