The chances of Chelsea turfing out a failed Thomas Tuchel signing have been termed ‘very real’. with the player’s ‘fragile’ situation fuelled by three gripes.
Much has been made of the £250m+ Chelsea forked out over the summer window. The likes of Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling arrived for big fees, though the Blues did invest in youth too.
They splashed out over £40m to sign teenage trio Gabriel Slonina, Cesare Casadei and Carney Chukwuemeka. However, with a Christopher Nkunku deal expected in 2023, Todd Boehly and co. will continue to put their money where their mouth is.
Yet not all deals they conducted were blockbuster affairs. On deadline day, Chelsea made what appeared to be a smart signing when landing Juventus’ Denis Zakaria on a season-long loan.
The Swiss international, 25, can play in a variety of positions including central midfield, centre-half and wing-back.
He looked a match made in heaven with Thomas Tuchel at the helm when he arrived. The former Blues boss operated primarily with a back five and was a fan dating back to his time at Borussia Monchengladbach.
However, according to CBS Sports reporter, Ben Jacobs, Chelsea may cut Zakaria’s loan short before he plays a single minute for the club.
Jacobs tweeted there is a ‘very real chance’ Zakaria could be returned to Juventus. A ‘formal meeting’ will take place later this week that should give an indication as to whether the loan could be terminated.
Zakaria’s situation at Stamford Bridge is termed’ fragile’, and Jacobs listed three factors that have turned the move sour.
Three reasons fuelling discontent
Firstly, Zakaria arrived in the expectation he’d get regular minutes. He turned down to other loan offers to join Chelsea and at the time of writing, he’s still not played for the club.
Secondly, he harbours fears his chances of gametime will only get worse in the new year. Jacobs stressed Zakaria expects new midfielders could be signed in January.
Finally, Zakaria was left ‘disappointed’ the manager who signed him – Thomas Tuchel – was sacked less than a week after he arrived.
It’s also hinted Zakaria was lacking in match sharpness upon arrival, something that took Tuchel by surprise.
A report from 90min last week echoed many of the same sentiments about Chelsea having Zakaria concerns.
However, they also reported returning him to Juventus early might not be as straightforward as it sounds.
Juventus are under no obligation to take Zakaria back early. What’s more, if he did make his Chelsea debut, Juventus would then be unlikely to find a new buyer in January.
FIFA regulations stipulate a player cannot play for three different teams in the same season.
Zakaria played twice for Juventus before joining Chelsea, meaning if he debuts for the Blues, he won’t be able to play for a third team in the 2022/23 season.
Potter speaks on Zakaria situation
Responding to the Zakaria speculation, Blues boss Graham Potter stressed no decision on the player’s future has been made as yet.
Potter insisted Zakaria is an “important” part of his team, though the fact he never plays would suggest that was purely a diplomatic response.
“There’s no decision been made,” Potter told a press conference on Tuesday (via Football London).
“Denis has been in the group and training well. He is ready to help the team.
“There is competition for places in that area but he is an important part of the team and waiting for his chance.”