Denis Zakaria

[robsblubot 3,595]

I guess we know why he wasn't playing before--really struggling with the pace of the league.

Needs to improve a lot to become serviceable.

[MoroccanBlue 5,375]

1 minute ago, robsblubot said:

I guess we know why he wasn't playing before--really struggling with the pace of the league.

Needs to improve a lot to become serviceable.

Think he's just average on the ball. That's where Ruben and Kovacic have him beat. 

[robsblubot 3,595]

27 minutes ago, MoroccanBlue said:

Think he's just average on the ball. That's where Ruben and Kovacic have him beat. 

it does look that way unfortunately, but it could also be the pace of the league. We will find out soon enough. 😟

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

11 hours ago, robsblubot said:

I guess we know why he wasn't playing before--really struggling with the pace of the league.

Needs to improve a lot to become serviceable.

And gives the ball away far too much.

[robsblubot 3,595]

15 minutes ago, bigbluewillie said:

And gives the ball away far too much.

yes, he does... looks really pedantic on the ball atm. I do have a slim hope it's just the pace of the league and how little time players get on ball. We've seen the same with players like ramires and many others, but it does not look good atm. He's essentially RLC slow pace minus skill atm. 😕 

Edited January 4, 2023 by robsblubot

[Strike 7,474]

26 minutes ago, robsblubot said:

yes, he does... looks really pedantic on the ball atm. I do have a slim hope it's just the pace of the league and how little time players get on ball. We've seen the same with players like ramires and many others, but it does not look good atm. He's essentially RLC slow pace minus skill atm. 😕 

was a stop-gap midfield fix if anything until Kovacic returned to full speed from the WC. I think it will be a disaster to field Zakaria vs City

[YorkshireBlue 3,264]

5 hours ago, Strike said:

was a stop-gap midfield fix if anything until Kovacic returned to full speed from the WC. I think it will be a disaster to field Zakaria vs City

Most of our starting 11 is a disaster to field against city.

[Strike 7,474]

He did well. I have to say

[robsblubot 3,595]

He did indeed. Played at a much higher tempo which was reassuring. he wasn't under pressure a whole lot, but you could see that he was trying to make runs often.

One of the very few good performances against City today.

For the the game was a lot tighter than expected and in the end City only scored from a Kepa's gift. 

[Special Juan 28,100]

Best player for us last night by a mile.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Yesterday we saw for the first time since his debut what I remember him being like in Bundesliga. A dogged defensive presence with the athleticism and ball carrying ability to break through lines. In this hectic Match he was equal to the pace of the league for the first time

I genuinely hope he can hold this level and make himself a viable option for us long term. 

[Superblue 6,372]

26 minutes ago, Magic Lamps said:

Yesterday we saw for the first time since his debut what I remember him being like in Bundesliga. A dogged defensive presence with the athleticism and ball carrying ability to break through lines. In this hectic Match he was equal to the pace of the league for the first time

I genuinely hope he can hold this level and make himself a viable option for us long term. 

There's a shade of Mikel about him when he lets the ball across his body and uses his frame to block players from taking the ball. It makes him incredibly press resistant. It was something Mikel probably didn't get nearly enough credit for at the time.

There's a bit more mobility and attacking intent from Zakaria though in his game. I've been impressed with what I've seen so far and do feel he's growing as he's getting more fitter and more confident.

Whilst I wouldn't say go and buy him outright right now, I do think given the prices being bandied around for players, his price feels a fair one that we could visit at the end of the season if he's continued to kick on. Or we could pull the Italian trick on themselves and try to negotiate a better deal. He is part of the reason why I don't want us to panic buy this window in midfield if the right player isn't available. We have him here for the rest of the season, let's make sure we make the right decision with him at the end of it, whichever that may be.

[chelsea_4_eva 1,180]

If he continues with these type of performances, he could be an easy pickup to replace RLC in the squad.

[Mhsc 1,093]

First game where he's looked fit to me. Interesting to see if he can crack on from here with consistency - the thing our team lacks badly.

[TheHulk 2,404]

If he keeps it up and we don't resign Kante and Jorginho might be worth to buy him on the cheap for depth.