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Football London
Football London
Sport
Sam Hill

Denis Zakaria makes major Chelsea loan spell admission and sets himself Graham Potter challenge

Things haven't quite worked out for Denis Zakaria at Chelsea so far this season. The Swiss midfielder has found minutes on the pitch hard to come by after starting just two games for the Blues.

The 26-year-old is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League having played just 139 minutes of action in a Chelsea shirt, coming in the EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League. Former manager Thomas Tuchel was keen to bring Zakaria to Stamford Bridge as the 26-year-old sealed a deadline day loan move that includes an option-to-buy clause.

Graham Potter seemingly does not trust Zakaria in his team with some reports suggesting the Switzerland international could return to Juventus in January. Zakaria is not giving up on his spell at Stamford Bridge though and has now set himself a huge challenge to try and impress Potter in training as he looks to force his way into the Blues team.

READ MORE: Four World Cup stars return to Chelsea training ahead of Premier League restart vs Bournemouth

Zakaria has told reporters of the challenges he faces during his time at Chelsea and his desire to prove a point with Premier League heavyweights. Speaking to the media, via GOAL, the Swiss midfielder said: “I’m still positive about it all, and then I’ll see what will happen.

"I still need to improve some things and show the coach what I can. When I get to play, I have to show that I am good. It has not been enough so far, but I work hard to get my chance in this big club.”

Chelsea are back in action in the Premier League on Tuesday, December 27 when they face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. Zakaria will be hoping he can impress Potter before the domestic league resumes in a bid to become a regular starter for the second half of the season.

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