It may have taken two months, but Stamford Bridge has finally seen Denis Zakaria play in Chelsea colours. It was a moment that was beginning to feel like it may never come, but Graham Potter handed the Swiss international his opportunity against Dinamo Zagreb.
The Blues may have had nothing to play for in the outing, but Potter surrounded Zakaria with a near-full strength team, simultaneously increasing the pressure on the midfielder to thrive while ensuring the loan signing would not be fighting an up-hill battle. The Chelsea head coach had hopes that Zakaria could prove himself worth of entering the club's midfield rotation.
Potter said ahead of the game: "He's a big powerful boy who can break up attacks and also join the attack himself. He's been working hard behind the scenes supporting the team so it's nice to see him play tonight. Hopefully he'll do well and give us competition there."
