Potter responds to Zakaria Chelsea exit rumours
FT Desk
- 18 Oct 2022 20:06 BST
- 3 min read
Denis Zakaria has been heavily linked with a Chelsea exit just a matter of weeks after joining on loan from Juventus.
Zakaria was signed at the 11th hour of the summer transfer window, with Thomas Tuchel keen to bolster his midfield with N'Golo Kante's injury record becoming an increasing concern.
The Juventus-owned man signed a one-year deal with an option to make the move permanent for €33 million at the end of the season, but that eventuality now looks decidedly unlikely.
Juventus coach Max Allegri says that Denis Zakaria "lacks quality" 😯
Zakaria is on his way to join Chelsea 👀https://t.co/sJBn0rK9oN— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) September 1, 2022
Tuchel was sacked days after Zakaria's arrival, to be replaced by Graham Potter in the Stamford Bridge dugout, and the former Brighton tactician has only named Zakaria to a Premier League matchday squad once - for Sunday's 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
But Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek started at central midfield, and when the former made way on 65 minutes, it was Jorginho who replaced him. Conor Gallagher, another player in Zakaria's position, also got a run-out.
This has fuelled speculation that the Blues want to cut the Switzerland international's loan deal short, but Potter was keen to stress that the 25-year-old remains part of his plans when pressed on the issue.
Potter: 'Waiting for his chance'
"There has been no decision made at all on that," he said. "Denis has been in the group and he's been training well. He's ready to help the team but obviously there's competition for places in that area.
"There's no talks [about leaving]. He's an important member of the team. He's being patient and trying to help the team from the side at the moment. He's waiting for a chance."
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In not playing Zakaria - in the Premier League or Champions League - he will still be eligible to turn out for another club this season per FIFA regulations should he return to Juventus and they loan him out to another suitor.
Stamford Bridge's top brass are also keeping an eye on Max Allegri's situation. Juve are currently eighth in Serie A, 10 points off Napoli's league-setting pace, and a successor to the Italian might even have a more favourable view of Zakaria and given him a chance in Turin.
