Graham Potter responds to claims Chelsea summer signing Denis Zakaria could leave in January

Graham Potter has played down suggestions that Chelsea summer signing Denis Zakaria could leave Stamford Bridge in January.

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The Blues signed Juventus midfielder Zakaria on loan over the summer and have the option to make his move permanent at the end of the season.

But Zakaria is yet to feature for Chelsea, sparking speculation that the Switzerland international could leave the Premier League club when the transfer window reopens in January.

Potter, though, insists Zakaria remains an ‘important member’ of his squad and says the 25-year-old is ‘ready to help the team’ in the coming weeks.

Chelsea, who are fourth in the Premier League after winning four games in a row since Thomas Tuchel’s sacking, play eight games in the next four weeks before the winter break for the World Cup.

Asked if there had been any talks about letting Zakaria leave in January, Potter said: ‘There has been no decision made at all on that. Denis has been in the group and he’s been training well.

‘He’s ready to help the team but obviously there’s competition for places in that area. There’s no talks [about leaving].

‘He’s an important member of the team. He’s being patient and trying to help the team from the side at the moment. He’s waiting for a chance.’

Zakaria, who has 42 caps for Switzerland, only made 11 appearances for Juventus before the Italian club agreed to send him to Chelsea over the summer.

Speaking last month, the midfielder said he was desperate to convince Chelsea to hand him a permanent contract at Stamford Bridge.

Zakaria told The Athletic: ‘Of course. If you don’t do good, you don’t have the chance to stay.

‘Chelsea is a big club and if you’re not good enough, you can’t stay at this club. I am here to