Joe Cole and Glenn Hoddle praise ‘excellent’ Denis Zakaria

Former Chelsea stars Joe Cole and Glenn Hoddle praised Denis Zakaria after the Swiss midfielder impressed during his first appearance for the club.

Zakaria, signed by Juventus at the end of the summer transfer window, initially loaned out with an option to buy next summer, had to play a minute for Chelsea before Wednesday night.

Thomas Tuchel had brought him in, but his dismissal a few days later would spell a difficult period for the Swiss, with Graham Potter, who took over from the German coach, not turning to his services.

Dennis Zakaria made his Blues debut in Chelsea’s final Champions League group stage match, where they topped their section

However, with Wednesday night’s game against Dynamo Zagreb a largely pointless encounter, Potter started Zakaria and the Swiss delivered a first-half goal for his manager. It turned out to be the winner.

Cole and Hoddle spoke about BT Sport after the game, praising the midfielder for his performance after a tough few months of being completely away from it all.

“I thought he was excellent, I thought he was coming across the field, he was the one you looked at because it was his first game,” Cole said.

Chelsea players congratulate Denis Zakaria after his goal turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb

“I think he was the perfect partner for Jorginho. While Jorginho was gaining some experience there next to him, he was getting around to put his foot in it and a goal would have been a bonus.”

Cole added that Zakaria now offered a much-needed alternative option for Chelsea in midfield with N’Golo Kante for an extended period of time.

Meanwhile, Hoddle praised his character and said that despite it being his first appearance for the club, he looked at “home.”

Joe Cole praised Zakaria for his performance after a rough few months at Chelsea

Glenn Hoddle echoed Cole’s sentiments, saying Zakaria could become a key player in the coming months

“I loved his character and his attitude on the pitch, it was his first game for Chelsea and he looked like he was at home,” he said. ‘He walked through the tunnel and went to all the players and I looked at Rio [Ferdinand] and said “was that for show or was that real?” and the way he stood on the pitch was real. He made himself feel, “I have arrived and I am here to stay”.’

Hoddle echoed Cole’s feelings that he could prove important from now on with various injuries that hit Potter’s squad.

“At this stage I think it is (could start more games) if you look at what’s in store for him. If Kante is injured for a long time, then there is no doubt a role for him.’