Graham Potter insists ‘no decision’ has been made on Denis Zakaria’s Chelsea future
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has praised Denis Zakaria’s attitude despite not using the midfielder since arriving into the club.
The Switzerland international is yet to play a single minute under either Potter or Thomas Tuchel after joining on a season-long loan from Juventus in the summer.
Standard Sport first reported that meetings are planned this week to discuss his situation, but Potter is satisfied with Zakaria’s behaviour despite his lack of involvement.
“There is no decision been made at all on that,” Potter said at Cobham Training Centre. “Denis [Zakaria] is in the group and has been training well.
“He is ready to help the team but there is competition for places in that area. He is an important member of the team and is patient and trying to help the team from the side at the moment. He is waiting for his chance.”
Chelsea face Brentford on Wednesday night in the Premier League and have no injury concerns beyond long-term absentees Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Wesley Fofana.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to continue in goal, with the goalkeeper the only player other than Mason Mount to start every game under Potter since the Englishman joined the club six weeks ago.
After a brilliant display in Chelsea’s 2-0 away win at Aston Villa, Potter was again full of praise for Kepa but stopped short of calling him the club’s number one, with Edouard Mendy waiting in the wings.
“I always think it’s better to let football decide and Kepa has done really well,” the Chelsea boss said.
“He has been supported fantastically by Edou [Edouard Mendy] and Betts [Marcus Bettinelli] and they’ve provided good competition. But Kepa’s form is really pleasing for everybody, especially him.
“It’s brilliant for him. It’s a nice example for everybody that it doesn’t always go your way and you have to suffer in life sometimes. It’s not always ideal and perfect.
“But I must admit, I’ve been really impressed with his character and personality, he’s very professional, understands the game really well, and takes responsibility. So it’s nice when those types of people get the rewards, which is a reward for their hard work and effort.
”We’ve got competition in that area and we need that in the team. We need to push each other and it’s how players get better.”
The Blues’ clash against Brentford is part of a busy run of fixtures with eight games in 25 days ahead of the World Cup.
With Tottenham and Arsenal planning warm weather training camps, Potter admits his side could look to do the same, while also giving time off to players who aren’t taking part in the showpiece event in Qatar.
“We’re probably in the planning stage,” he added. “We’ll have some time off and then we’ll look at a warm weather camp I think. So it will be a combination of the two.”
