Chelsea manager Graham Potter has confirmed Denis Zakaria will be sidelined for at least four weeks with an injury.

Zakaria limped off in the defeat to Fulham (Picture: Getty)

The midfielder, who joined the Blues on loan from Juventus in the summer, has turned in a series of impressive performances since the return of club football but was forced off injured during Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Potter is already without Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja with an injury crisis engulfing the club.

Zakaria joins that injury list with his manager confirming he is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Speaking after Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Potter told a post-match press conference: ‘Denis will probably be four weeks, so that is a blow for us.’

Chelsea have been busy in January with the club unveiling their latest signing Mykhailo Mudryk at Stamford Bridge ahead of kick-off.

Benoit Badiashile, who joined the club in a £35m deal from Monaco earlier this month, made his debut against Patrick Vieira’s side and provided a solid showing at the heart of defence.

Potter pleased with Badiashile’s debut (Picture: Getty)

‘I thought Benoit did well, really well. It was a good game for him,’ Potter said.

‘Koulibaly has had a lot of football and the turnaround from Thursday was a consideration. He passes the ball well, when he needed to head the ball out he did.

‘He has to adapt to the Premier League, it will take him some time, but it was very positive.’

After defeat to local rivals Fulham midweek, Chelsea recorded their first win of 2023 against Palace.

‘You have to deal with the bad times, the tough situations, accept the criticism that comes your way and accept the responsibility.

‘The players have suffered, that’s not nice, but it’s important to enjoy the win today and it gives a shot in the arm for next week.’

source: https://metro.co.uk/