Denis Zakaria: a new lease of life at Monaco | OneFootball

Denis Zakaria was pivotal in Monaco’s Côte d’Azur derby win (2-3) over OGC Nice, scoring his first ever brace in senior football. We take a look at the Swiss midfielder’s journey so far and how he’s settling with the Principality side and manager Adi Hütter.

Denis Zakaria arrived in Monaco in the summer from Juventus for €20m, and recently pulled out all the stops in his latest performances for Les Monegasques by scoring his first senior career brace. His sublime strike in the 16th minute against OGC Nice opened the scoring for ASM, before retaking the lead with a powerful header in the second half.

The Swiss international was born in Geneva and started out playing for his local club Servette before signing for BSC Young Boys. Zakaria wouldn’t fully break onto the scene until his move to Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he would make 125 appearances and score 11 goals from the period of 2017-2022.

Juventus picked up Zakaria for a fee of €8.6m at the end of January 2022, scoring his debut six days later against Hellas Verona. The youngster was seen as a promising box to box midfielder, but had only made 11 appearances for the Old Lady. Premier League Chelsea would come calling only 8 months later, where he would struggle for game time under the chaotic reign of Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and then Frank Lampard in the dugout.

Zakaria & Adi Hütter, a familiar story

Zakaria signed on a five-year deal at Monaco in August, and is now a pivotal cog in Adi Hütter’s midfield machine. The Swiss international, who represented his national side in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, now has racked up 15 appearances and scored two goals for Monaco.

“I’ve already scored two headers this season, I hope it won’t be the last,” said Zakaria following the conclusion of the Côte d’Azur derby. “Honestly, I feel very well-integrated into the team [...] Adi Hütter was the coach who gave me my professional debut, so over the years he has known me very well.”

“I know what he asks of his players, and it’s a style that suits me perfectly, aggressive, dynamic and offensive,” added the midfielder. Monaco’s all-in-one midfielder is certainly enjoying his new life at the Principality, as Les Monégasques host Toulouse next weekend at the Stade Louis II.