Claim that Denis Zakaria, a summer signing for Chelsea, would depart the team in January has been downplayed by Graham Potter, the club’s manager.
At the end of the current campaign, Zakaria will have the option to make his loan from Juventus to Chelsea permanent.
Since he has yet to play a single minute for the Blues, there has been talking that the Swiss international player would leave the team when the transfer window reopens in January.
However, Potter maintains that Zakaria is still a “essential player” of his team and that the 25-year-old is “ready to support the team” over the next several weeks.
Asked if there had been any talks about letting Zakaria leave in January, Potter said: “There has been no decision made at all on that. 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 are 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.”
