What a way to introduce yourself to the Chelsea faithful, Denis Zakaria. The midfielder marked his debut for the Blues with a goal in their 2-1 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. It was also Chelsea's 100th victory in the competition.
The Swiss midfielder arrived in west London on loan from Juventus in the summer and has been twiddling his thumbs at Cobham training ground waiting to be given his first opportunity in Chelsea blue.
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Since arriving at the end of the transfer window, he has had to wait 61 days, and for a new manager to get his chance. Before Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel, Zakaria seemed like a wasted signing because the German constantly overlooked him.
The 25-year-old’s first eight months in Turin didn’t go as well as he or the Old Lady would have hoped for. But it is worth remembering that he shined in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach which ultimately earned him a move to the Italian giants in the first place.
Over the past few weeks, Chelsea boss Graham Potter had been dropping hints that we were not far away from seeing Zakaria earn his first minutes, praising the energetic midfielder for his professionalism and his commitment in training.
Zakaria is a player who likes to carry the ball forward, play intricate passes and he isn’t afraid to shoot either, as his goal against Dinamo Zagreb shows. Although his strike was almost denied by an attempted block on the line. However, it couldn't be stopped and Zakaria was swarmed by his teammates. They, like the crowd, knew just how special that moment was for him given how long he has had to wait for his first match for the Blues.
Denis Zakaria gives Chelsea the lead for the first time this evening! ✨
#UCL
For a player who was coming into the side for the very first time, he didn’t look out of place. He looked solid in the middle of the pitch and looked dangerous when he picked up the ball in space. There was some good link-up play with his attackers and while this wasn’t him at his best, he certainly has a lot more to offer going forward.
With Chelsea three points outside the top four in the Premier League, Potter will want to reduce the deficit on the Blues’ rivals before the season pauses for the World Cup. After a strong performance on his debut, you’d have to think that Zakaria will be forcing his way into contention to face local rivals and top-of-the-table Arsenal on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Manchester City defeated Sevilla 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium. 17-year-old right-back Rico Lewis made history as he became City’s youngest scorer in Champions League history in what was his debut for the club. His neat finish from the right side of the box cancelled out Sevilla’s opener, which was scored by former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Rafa Mir.
The turnaround was completed when Julian Alvarez finished off a chance orchestrated by Kevin De Bruyne. City then went and added a third as Riyad Mahrez found the top corner from the edge of the box.
