Zakaria, facing the chance he had been waiting for: Aubameyang's injury opens the door to the starting XI

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Zakaria
1.060.000€-140.000€-

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Aubameyang's injury changes everything

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Aubameyang
19.430.000€-50.000€6

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This Wednesday, Deportivo received one of the worst possible pieces of news. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will have to go under the knife for an injury to the outer meniscus of his right knee suffered during the match against Betis. The Gabonese player will be operated on via arthroscopy, and the first estimates put his recovery period at around a month and a half to two months.

A huge absence for Antonio Hidalgo. Auba had started the season as one of LaLiga's big sensations, with five goals in seven matchdays, and was a key piece in Deportivo's attack.

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Aubameyang
19.430.000€-50.000€6

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His absence, however, could radically change the situation of one of the players who has had the least prominence so far: Zakaria Eddahchouri.

Zakaria goes from substitute to a candidate for the starting XI

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Zakaria
1.060.000€-140.000€-

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The Dutch forward has had to make do with scraps at the start of the season. He has played in four LaLiga matches, none as a starter, adding up to just 69 minutes and a goal. A figure that, precisely, once again shows something he already demonstrated last season: he needs very little to find the back of the net.

Zakaria was one of Deportivo's main protagonists last campaign, and he already made it clear during pre-season that he did not plan to give up despite Aubameyang's arrival. In the first friendly of the summer, he scored a brace against Compostela, and once again put himself forward to get minutes in the top flight.

Until now, Hidalgo had usually opted for Aubameyang and Nsongo Bil in a system with two forwards. The Gabonese player's injury leaves Zakaria as the main natural candidate to partner the young Cameroonian attacker. The coach could also change the shape and go with a single striker, meaning his starting spot still cannot be considered guaranteed, but his chances have increased considerably.

A very interesting opportunity for fantasy purposes

And this is where Zakaria becomes one of the names to watch during the break. His fantasy value is still very low after several weeks with little involvement, and his sporting situation could change completely from one matchday to the next.

We are talking about a forward who has goals, who knows Hidalgo's system perfectly, and who last season was able to become important at Deportivo. What's more, this season he has already found the net despite the limited time he has had.

Zakaria thus goes from being a simple fantasy patch to becoming a very interesting speculative bet. There are no guarantees that he will automatically take all of Aubameyang's minutes, because Hidalgo has tactical alternatives, but he probably had never had such a clear opportunity since Deportivo returned to the top flight.

With several weeks ahead without Aubameyang, the Dutchman now has the perfect scenario to prove he can be much more than a substitute. If he makes the most of his first chances, his role - and also his price in fantasy markets - can change quickly.