Former Chelsea star tells Xabi Alonso that Lamine Camara is ‘better off at Monaco’ after failed deadline day transfer

FORMER CHELSEA flop Denis Zakaria has told Lamine Camara he is ‘better off’ at Monaco after the midfielder’s dramatic deadline-day move to Stamford Bridge collapsed. Chelsea made a late push to sign the Senegal international from Monaco on the final day of the transfer window. Lamine Camara saw a deadline day transfer to Chelsea fall of the cliff after Monaco refused to sell at the last minute Credit: Getty Denis Zakaria was at Chelsea during a chaotic period that saw the club finish 12th in the league Credit: Getty A deal worth around £47million was verbally agreed between the clubs in the frantic final hours of the window, only for Monaco to pull the plug at the last minute. Chelsea were left furious by the U-turn, with reports in the French media saying the midfielder’s behaviour has been “extraordinary and deeply unprofessional”. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The Senegalese star has wasted little time putting the disappointment behind him and has played a key role in Monaco’s impressive start to the season. The 22-year-old midfielder helped Filipe Luis’ side beat Lens 2-1 to remain top of Ligue 1, with the victory taking Monaco to four wins from their opening five matches. And after the final whistle, former Chelsea man Zakaria delivered a blunt message to his team-mate, forget about the Blues. Zakaria told reporters, according to Get French Football News. “Chelsea? I told him that it was good but that it is better here. “I know the player and the person that he is. He is very professional. I think [the failed transfer] has given him even more strength. “He was incredible [against Lens].” Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Zakaria knows all about life at Stamford Bridge after enduring a difficult loan spell there during the 2022-23 campaign. The Switzerland international joined Chelsea from Juventus but made just seven Premier League appearances during a chaotic season which saw three different managers take charge as the club finished 12th. Camara, meanwhile, appears determined to ensure his own failed move does not derail his season. He told French media earlier this month: ” There was a possibility I could leave. Former Chelsea manager Liam Roseniors has Paris FC flying in the French League Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Former Chelsea man Filipe Luis has transformed Monaco and has them top of the League Credit: AFP “It didn’t go through at the last minute and that’s part of football. I’ve turned the page and am focusing on the season.” Chelsea could certainly have done with another midfielder after their own deadline-day dealings left them short in the centre of the pitch. Moises Caicedo has been restricted to just 14 minutes so far this season because of injury, while Enzo Fernandez completed a £125million move to Manchester City on deadline day. Camara’s form at Monaco means the failed transfer could yet prove costly for Chelsea, particularly if the Senegal star continues to flourish in France. Monaco currently lead Ligue 1 by two points from Lyon and Paris FC, with Liam Rosenior, another former Chelsea figure, in charge of the latter. There is also an interesting Stamford Bridge connection on the Monaco bench, with boss Filipe Luis having been part of Chelsea’s title-winning squad in 2015 and previously considered as a possible replacement for Rosenior before Xabi Alonso was appointed. Comment now