CLUB HELPED CHELSEA SIGN PLAYER BALLACK COMPARED TO ZIDANE THIS SUMMER

Reports suggest that Juventus actually assisted Chelsea in their attempts to find a quick deal to sign Denis Zakaria. According to Grand Hotel CalcioMercato, the clubs worked well together to get the deal done on deadline day of the recent summer transfer window. Chelsea entered the market late for a midfielder, after a poor start to the season had come as a direct correlation to some midfield issues. An injury suffered by N’golo Kante early in the season has left a massive void in the midfield for the club, with them struggling to find a suitable replacement so far.

Thomas Tuchel made the decision to pursue Conor Gallagher as one of the midfield pivot pair, however he has looked out of position when playing, shown no better than when he was sent off against Leicester City. Their central woes saw them look to make deadline day moves, with them also targeting Edson Alvarez. The midfielder even skipped training to try and force a late move to Stamford Bridge.

While they didn’t secure him, they were able to strike a loan deal for Zakaria, with them having the option to make it permanent in the summer. The midfielder has drawn comparisons to Zinedine Zidane in the past by former teammate Yann Sommer, with his qualities certainly something the Blues can benefit from this season. It has been reported that the Blues will be back for Alvarez in the coming window, meaning they may be reluctant to make two additions on a permanent area.

With that being said, the club may need to invest heavily in the area if they are to continue competing, with the potential midfield exodus they may be about to face. Kante is reportedly currently unwilling to sign a new contract with the club, based on the terms he is currently being offered. There are also beliefs amongst the club that Jorginho is potentially running down his contract in order to achieve an easier move back to Italy at the end of his current deal.