Chelsea suffer yet another injury setback as midfield maestro out for 4 weeks

Denis Zakaria will be out for at least four weeks, according to Chelsea manager Graham Potter.

The midfielder, who joined the Blues on loan from Juventus in the summer, has put in a string of impressive performances since his return to club football, but he was forced off with an injury during Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Fulham.

With an injury crisis engulfing the club, Potter is already without Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, and Armando Broja.

Zakaria has been added to the injury list, with his manager confirming he will be out for a while.

Potter told a post-match press conference following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace: ‘Denis will probably be four weeks, so that is a blow for us.’

Chelsea have been busy in January, with Mykhailo Mudryk, the club’s latest signing, being unveiled at Stamford Bridge ahead of kickoff.

Benoit Badiashile, who joined the club in a £35 million deal from Monaco earlier this month, made his debut against Patrick Vieira’s side and impressed.

‘I thought Benoit did exceptionally well. ‘He had a good game,’ Potter said.

‘Koulibaly has played a lot of football, and the short turnaround from Thursday was a factor. He passes the ball well and heads the ball out when necessary.

‘He has to adjust to the Premier League; it will take some time, but it was a very positive experience.’

Following a midweek defeat to local rivals Fulham, Chelsea recorded their first win of 2023 against Palace.

‘You have to deal with the bad times, the difficult situations, accept the criticism, and accept responsibility.

‘The players have suffered, which is unfortunate, but it’s important to enjoy the win today because it gives us a boost for next week.’