PROFILE | Denis Zakaria – from a peripheral figure at Chelsea to a key performer at Monaco

Denis Zakaria amidst the frequent managerial changes and the chaos at Chelsea played a peripheral role last season. When he did play, he impressed, but as Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and then Frank Lampard all chopped and changed in the search for solutions to numerous problems, Zakaria was often overlooked. The Swiss international only played 721 minutes last season, and so he would have been forgiven for looking off the pace when he completed a summer switch to AS Monaco. However, that has not been the case. With 997 minutes already under his belt, more than he had in the entirety of last season, Zakaria has established himself as a key and versatile element in this Monaco side. 

His prior relationship with Adi Hütter, with whom he worked at Borussia Mönchengladbach, certainly facilitated his rapid integration, but what Zakaria has done since his arrival is nonetheless impressive. Amidst a defensive crisis, the former Juventus midfielder was asked to fill in in the middle of Les Monégasques’ back three. He isn’t a centre-back by trade, but you wouldn’t know, and in some games early this season, Zakaria was Monaco’s most convincing and composed centre-back. 

An instant adaptation under a familiar manager

However, there is no doubt that Zakaria’s best qualities are highlighted when he is given more freedom higher up the pitch. His press resistance, which caught the eye in the Premier League last season, has translated into Ligue 1 too, and his ability to beat the press with just one touch has become an indispensable tool to help Monaco progress up the field. His defensive positioning and intelligence also frees Youssouf Fofana to be more expressive and attacking and he is therefore the reason that Monaco’s midfield has a good balance this season.

There were doubts as to whether Zakaria would have to battle for his place at Monaco, given the arrival of Mohamed Camara the previous summer for decent money. However, the Swiss international has quickly asserted himself as the first choice alongside Fofana, with whom a great partnership is blossoming. With Fofana persistently linked with a departure from Monaco, Zakaria could become the main man in Hütter’s midfield going forward. At 27 years old, he is in his prime and should he remain at the Principality club, you could easily see him establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 for years to come. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle