Graham Potter has claimed in his pre-match press conference that midfielder Denis Zakaria has been impressing in training for Chelsea.
The Swiss international has not yet featured for Chelsea since coming in on deadline day.
An accelerated medical in Italy got things over the line in time, as the Blues failed in their quest for other faces over the summer.
A mix of injuries and a poor start to the season saw some people at the club looking to add to their midfield options in the last hours of the summer transfer window.
It has been claimed since that the loan signing had nothing to do with then-manager Thomas Tuchel, with it being the only one of the summer without the German’s say so.
Potter has so far not offered a minute to Zakaria, with him rotating minutes around his other options.
Zakaria ready to start
However, the former Brighton man has claimed that he is waiting patiently for his opportunity, and is certainly ready if called upon soon.
He said: “No decision has been made [over future]. Denis has been training well, he’s ready to help the team. There is no talk of anything. He’s an important member of the team, he’s been patient and waiting for his chance.”
There had been reports that Zakaria was moving towards cutting his loan deal early, having not featured yet for the Blues.
Zero minutes is hardly the preparation the midfielder would have been hoping for prior to next month’s World Cup.
This has seen him draw criticism in Swiss media, claiming his decision has jeopardized the chances of the national team in Qatar this winter.
Nevertheless, with a busy few weeks to come before the international tournament, it is likely that he will appear in Blue before the season breaks.