Denis Zakaria: Forgotten Chelsea Star Who Arrived in the Summer Finally Makes Debut During Champions League

Denis Zakaria: Forgotten Chelsea Star Who Arrived in the Summer Finally Makes Debut During Champions League

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
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  • After months of waiting, Denis Zakaria, who is on loan at Stamford Bridge from Juventus, was handed his debut for the Premier League giants
  • Graham Potter afforded Zakaria some minutes in a Chelsea shirt, with his side guaranteed a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners
  • And it was a dream debut for the Swiss midfielder as he went on to score the Blues' winner after Raheem Sterling had cancelled out Bruno Petkovic's opener

Denis Zakaria, a Chelsea summer arrival, has finally made his debut for the Blues.

The Switzerland midfielder joined the Blues on transfer deadline day on loan from Juventus in the summer.

However, until Wednesday night, November 2, Zakaria had not played a single minute for the Blues.

Denis Zakaria, Chelsea, Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb, Stamford Bridge, Juventus, Graham Potter.
Denis Zakaria applauds the fans after being substituted due to an injury during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and Dinamo Zagreb at Stamford Bridge. Photo by Darren Walsh.
Source: Getty Images

The Juventus loanee was handed his first minutes in a Chelsea shirt during their last Group E fixture of the Champions League.

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Denis Zakaria scores on his debut

Blues boss Graham Potter handed the Swiss an opportunity to prove himself, with his side already guaranteed to finish top of their group and a spot in the last 16.

And Zakaria had what would pass as a dream debut as he netted the west Londoners' winner in their 2-1 victory over the Croatian giants.

The 25-year-old, who had been paired with Jorginho in midfield, found the bottom corner from the edge of the box after a cutback from Mason Mount.

However, it was a bittersweet moment for Zakaria as he could not see the rest of the match, having been forced off with an injury.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling and Bruno Petkovic were the other goalscorers during the tie, with the latter earning his side a consolation.

Jorginho wanted by Serie A clubs

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Jorginho is staring at an uncertain future with Chelsea as he enters the final months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Juventus and AC Milan are among the top European clubs keen on his services, with Barcelona also linked.

Be that as it may, the 30-year-old has already hinted at the possibility of extending his stay with the Blues as he is 'very happy' at the club.

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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
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