Denis Zakaria, a recent addition to Chelsea, has admitted that Thomas Tuchel, the team's former manager, was a factor in his decision to sign with the Blues.

On deadline day this summer, Zakaria, 25, also revealed that he was on the verge of joining Liverpool rather than Chelsea.

The Swiss midfielder signed for Chelsea from Juventus on loan, a move that seemingly materialised out of nowhere, particularly considering the player had only moved to the Serie A giants in January.

“I heard that from my agent, but in the end, it was Chelsea,” Zakaria said, as quoted by Blick.

“It all happened very quickly. I did not know a move to Chelsea was possible until six hours before the end of the transfer window.

“I think I will be happier in England than in Turin." It is difficult to say [what went wrong at Juventus].”

He added, “Maybe the style of football wasn’t mine." The team was a lot behind and did not have that much space. I am a player who needs a lot of space for my runs. It might suit me better in England.

“Thomas Tuchel was one of the reasons I went to Chelsea; he is a great coach."

But now we haven’t had much time with him, but that is football. Everything goes fast.

“I might have a new chance with the new coach [Graham Potter], about whom I have heard a lot of good things. I will work a lot to get my place.