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Chelsea’s signing of Denis Zakaria from Juventus on loan dealt a major blow to Liverpool on deadline day, according to reports.
The summer transfer window has been busy at Stamford Bridge with many new faces coming through the door.
It was the first window for the Todd Boehly-led property and they didn’t mess around, splashing out over £250m on signings.
Raheem Sterling was the first addition of the summer, but the Blues have also added other high-profile signings including Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana.
Following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Romelu Lukaku, who returned on loan to Inter Milan, Chelsea have been forced to strengthen on the pitch.
Even though many signatures had already been made, there was still some scrambling on deadline day.
In the dying moments, the west London side secured deals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Zakaria down the line.
Throughout the window, the Blues were after a midfielder, and after moves from Romeo Lavia, Edson Alvarez and Ibrahim Sangare failed on deadline day, they had to look elsewhere.
Swiss international Zakaria was the answer, he arrived from Juventus on a one-year loan.
There is an option to buy for Chelsea if the 24-year-old impresses.
It was a last minute move for Thomas Tuchel’s side and they are still reportedly interested in bringing in another midfielder in January.
By completing the transfer, the Blues also managed to deliver a blow to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
The Reds have had to work around a depleted midfield so far this season, Thiago was injured on opening day and that has left them in a tight spot.
They were reportedly keen to bring in Zakaria, trying to complete a move before he signed for Chelsea.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach man was Klopp’s preferred option but instead they struck a deal for another Juventus midfielder, Arthur.
For the Blues, they hope they have taken the best option away from Liverpool and it will be interesting to see the kind of role Zakaria gets at Stamford Bridge.
He should provide good cover, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have both struggled with injuries so depth is needed in the middle of the pitch.
Last season Saul Niguez was the Deadline Day arrival on loan, but Chelsea will be hoping Zakaria will be much more of a success.
Tuchel’s side have now flew to Croatia to prepare for their first Champions League clash this season against Dinamo Zagreb.
