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Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria believes that he and his Chelsea teammates are behind under-fire Blues boss Graham Potter and that the club’s players are fighting hard for their 47-year-old manager.
Last week, speculation about Potter’s future at Stamford Bridge started to intensify following a rotten run of form, however, Chelsea battled their way to a timely 1-0 victory over Leeds on Saturday – a result that seems to have lifted some of the gloom from the club.
Following their confidence-building triumph at the weekend, Chelsea can enter their Champions League test against Borussia Dortmund in midweek with renewed self-belief and their chances of overturning their 1-0 deficit in the tie have suddenly been heightened.
Zakaria pleased with win over Leeds
Speaking in the aftermath of Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 win over Leeds in London, Swiss midfielder Zakaria spoke about how the victory could be a real mood-mender at the club.
“We are happy with the win and it will help us ahead of Dortmund – it was important for the confidence of our players.
“I cannot say what will happen in the future but it will for sure give us confidence. We will work better after a win and we can build after this game.”
Zakaria was subsequently quizzed about under-pressure coach Graham Potter and the 26-year-old was quick to offer his support, saying?
“For sure. It has been hard for the manager and the players; it wasn’t easy to lose games. We are Chelsea and we have to win. It is not easy when you lose but in the end, we did well [against Leeds] and are happy.”
Zakaria praises Fofana’s impact
A second-half goal from fit again defender Wesley Fofana allowed Chelsea to snatch all three points against Leeds on Saturday, and Deniz Zakaria was effusive in his praise for the Frenchman after the full-time whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge.
“It was a very, very important goal and I am very happy for him. He deserved that goal and worked very hard for it. He is a big talent for Chelsea so I am happy for him and I hope he keeps playing like that because he is an important player for us.
Fofana’s short stint at Chelsea has been plagued by injuries and the talented 22-year-old hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his skills for Blues supporters since his big-money arrival from Leicester City last year.
Zakaria meanwhile, has been on the periphery of things for different reasons. The anchorman joined Chelsea from Juventus on loan last summer, however, his involvement in the first team has been sporadic at best.
Zakaria has started just four times in the Premier League for the Londoners and he was introduced from the bench as a second-half substitute on Saturday. The ex-Gladbach star did miss a chunk of time with a hamstring problem just after the turn of the year, though he has found himself down the pecking order at the club even when fit.
Chelsea have one of football’s most jam-packed rosters however, and Zakaria believes he and others need to grab any opportunities that come their way.
“We have a big squad and a lot of players, so all our players need to be ready for our chance.”
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