Media 18 August 2023, 20:24

Denis Zakaria: "I really want to show what I'm capable of"

Having arrived Monday evening in the Principality to sign for AS Monaco until 2028, the Swiss international midfielder delivered his first words to the press before a visit from Strasbourg, in the company of Wilfried Singo.

He is a strong reinforcement in the heart of midfield for the Rouge et Blanc. The third summer recruit for Club after Philipp Köhn and Mohammed Salisu, Denis Zakariawas presented to the media 48 hours before the team welcomes Strasbourg in Ligue 1 (1900 kickoff). After arriving in Monaco on Monday to sign a five-year contract, the Swiss midfielder spoke alongside Wilfried Singo, along with the Club’s Director of Football, Thiago Scuro. 🎙

I am happy to be here again to introduce our two new recruits: Denis Zakaria and Wilfried Singo. We are very happy with their arrival because we have worked hard to bring them here. They correspond perfectly to the project that we want to set up. (He addresses them) So welcome to you, and I hope you will have great success at AS Monaco.

Thiago ScuroAS Monaco Director of Football

On the project

AS Monaco showed a lot of interest and desire to have me join the team. This is what pleased me the most after the two challenging seasons that I’ve had. There’s also knowing that the coach really wanted me — this clearly made my choice to join the Club easier.

About coach Adi Hütter

It’s great to be reunited with him! I know him really well, because I’ve already worked with him twice, at Young Boys Bern and at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I will therefore work under again with him and I am very happy. I know that he is a quality coach and as a human very close to his players. I get along very well with him. And we have a good team, so I think we have all the ingredients to have a good season together.

On his choice

I came here to show my qualities. I have a great desire to play and show what I am capable of. I will give the best of myself to help the team regain its place. Today I am an AS Monaco player and I want to focus on that, and not think about the past.

He encouraged me to come here, and it was something that tipped the balance. I am very happy to play with him again, even if he is unfortunately seriously injured. He's a friend, like a brother to me, and I'm going to do everything to support him in his fight to get back on the pitch.

Denis ZakariaAbout Breel Embolo

His last two seasons

I’ve grown a lot mentally over the past two years, because I haven’t had a lot of playing time. I’ve learned that football doesn’t always go the same way. Nothing is ever a given, you have to fight in every training session, in every match and give the best of yourself to be able to play over time.

About Breel Embolo

We talked a lot with Breel before I came, we spoke a lot. He encouraged me to come here, and it was something that tipped the balance. I am very happy to play with him again, even if he is unfortunately seriously injured. He’s a friend, like a brother to me, and I’m going to do everything to support him in his fight to get back on the pitch.

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𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗛𝗘 ❤️🤍#CF63ASM pic.twitter.com/D9JrTmZlgc

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) August 13, 2023

His debut in Europe in 2015

I remember a very challenging match, where we ran a lot (smiles), but also the defeat and the elimination in the return leg unfortunately. In any case, I have very good memories of this Monaco team which was very strong. And besides, if I came here, it was to return to Europe with this club which deserves it.

I like their aggressiveness and their physical capabilities. This is perfect for the approach we want to put in place. But what also matters to us is the mindset they have, the fact that they both have ambition. They want to know the path to success with AS Monaco. It is not only their footballing qualities, but also that they are coming with the desire to work.

Thiago ScuroAbout Denis and Wilfried

About Wilfried Singo

I know him from our experience in Serie A. We faced each other in the Turin derby between Juve and Torino. He is an athletic player who caused us a lot of problems I must admit (laughs). I am also very happy with the person he is, because he is a very good guy.