- 22 hours ago
Star midfielder made 'best decision of career' after leaving Chelsea
Tom Weber
- Updated: 23 Sept 2024 16:29 BST
- 2 min read
Denis Zakaria is thriving at AS Monaco after his forgettable stints at Chelsea and Juventus.
The Swiss midfielder is one of the many flops of the Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge. Zakaria joined Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel in the summer of 2022 on loan from Juventus but would only go on to make 11 appearances that season.
His time in Serie A wasn't much happier either. The Bianconeri initially signed him because he had starred for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga, but after six months in Turin, he was shipped out on loan to Chelsea.
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He did not return to Juventus and instead was sold to Ligue 1 side Monaco in the summer of 2023. The 27-year-old has been given a new lease on life by his former Gladbach boss Adi Hutter and he has even been named club captain.
Zakaria is thriving in the Principality and has developed from a holding midfielder into an all-action performer who has, at times, looked like something of a reincarnation of Paul Pogba with some of his previously unseen dribbling and passing this term.
STATS
Denis Zakaria
M (C)
Monaco
Denis Zakaria
M (C)
Monaco
Zakaria's 'best decision'
The Swiss international has notched two goals and an assist so far in this still-young campaign and starred for Monaco. Unsurprisingly, then, he has now stated that joining the Ligue 1 side was 'one of the best decisions of [his] career.'
“Honestly, I am very happy to be here and to be able to play for this club," he told DAZN after a 3-1 win over Le Havre at the weekend. "It was important for me to have this environment to progress.
READ MORE: Maresca admits he is 'in love' with Chelsea star
Coming to AS Monaco was one of the best decisions of my career and I will give everything for this club to allow us to be as successful as possible."
The midfielder is thriving in the top flight of French football and this iteration of Zakaria is a far cry of the unhappy one at Chelsea and Juventus.
