Forgotten ex-Chelsea man told Lamine Camara to reject Blues transfer | Football

Former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria says he encouraged Lamine Camara to reject a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Camara emerged as Chelsea’s top midfield target as the transfer deadline approached, with the Blues scouring the market for a high-quality player to replace Enzo Fernandez.

The west London giants had already brought in ten first-team players across an active window, which began with the club smashing their transfer record to sign Morgan Rogers in a statement £117million deal.

But Xabi Alonso was ultimately left disappointed as Chelsea reached an agreement to sign Camara from Monaco, only for the French outfit to pull out of a deal for the 22-year-old at the eleventh hour.

Camara would end up staying put in the principality for another season and the Senegal international has featured in all five of Monaco’s opening league matches, with the club sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1.

He has also played every minute of Monaco’s first two Europa Conference League fixtures and found the net in their 3-2 victory over Gornik Zabrze.

After Monaco’s latest win over Lens, Zakaria – who enjoyed a largely forgettable loan spell at Chelsea – waxed lyrical about his ‘incredible’ Monaco team-mate.

‘Chelsea? I told him that it was good but that it is better here,’ Zakaria revealed in the mixed zone after the match.

‘I know the player and the person that he is; he is very professional.

‘I think that [the transfer saga] has given him even more strength. He was incredible today.’

According to transfer reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea have not given up hope of signing Camara and will be expected to return for the Senegalese when the January transfer window opens for business.

Chelsea are not alone with their interest, though, with Liverpool set to provide stiff competition in the race to land Camara.

Asked if the Blues will renew their interest in Camara this winter, Di Marzio told Rekatochklart.com: ‘I think so, yes because everything changed for Lamine Camara at the last minute.

‘Chelsea needs a player in that position after Enzo left so I think that in January, they will try again.

‘Obviously it’s difficult to say right now if something will be arranged or not. Chelsea will be coming back again.’

On Liverpool’s interest, Di Marzio added: ‘That will depend on Alexis Mac Allister’s contract situation.

‘Because they’re not talking about a new contract so it’s possible that Liverpool can anticipate and try to get a player in that position before the summer.’

‘Chelsea will come back for Camara, and Liverpool is also there looking at him.’

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