Lamine Camara has drawn on advice from former Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria after his proposed move to the Premier League club collapsed on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea had reached an agreement with AS Monaco for a deal estimated at £47m (€55m), but the transfer fell through during the closing hours of the window. The Senegal international has since been encouraged to remain focused on life in Monaco by Zakaria, who was part of the squad that beat Lens 2-1.
Zakaria discussed the failed move in the mixed zone after the match, having experienced Chelsea himself during a loan spell in the 2022/23 season.
The Switzerland international made 11 appearances in all competitions during his time in London before returning to Juventus. His own experience of the club has given him a personal understanding of the situation Camara faced when the transfer failed to materialise.
Camara has said he has moved on from the disappointment and is concentrating on his responsibilities at Monaco. The midfielder remains ambitious, however, and continues to harbour hopes of playing in the Premier League in the future.
Chelsea could revisit their interest during the winter transfer window, according to the latest reports, while Liverpool are also said to be monitoring the Senegal international.
Camara is valued at €40m by Transfermarkt and earns an annual salary of 1,380,000 euros (897,000,000 FCFA). His contract with AS Monaco runs until 30 June 2029, leaving the club with the player tied down for several more seasons.
The 20-year-old’s decision to stay in the Principality means he will continue his development at Monaco for now, despite the late interest from Chelsea. The failed deal did not prevent him from returning to the team after the transfer window, and he was involved as Monaco secured victory over Lens.
Chelsea’s next listed league fixture is against Bournemouth in the sixth round of the English championship.