Chelsea: Ziyech back in the saddle thanks to the World Cup
Struggling at Chelsea, Ziyech used the World Cup to rebuild his standing. Morocco's vice-captain has shown he has lost none of his talent
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Before the World Cup, Morocco's Hakim Ziyech was still a peripheral figure in the Chelsea squad. Yet everyone agrees that the Atlas Lions winger is a genuine talent. A "little" magician on the ball, capable of turning a game on his own. However, the various coaches of the Blues, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, who replaced him, did not have much faith in the Moroccan, who in their eyes did not offer enough guarantees.
Just looking at his usage, it is clear that Ziyech had fallen well and truly out of favour in the London side. Nine games in all competitions, 2 starts, 272 minutes of playing time: he was no doubt eager for the World Cup to arrive, if only to escape the misery of life at the club. He knew that with Morocco he would be one of the leaders of the squad, and that this tournament could well serve as a relaunch.
Ziyech has therefore seized the World Cup opportunity. Six games with the Atlas Lions, 548 minutes of playing time and a place in the semi-finals: Ziyech has thoroughly enjoyed himself in Qatar. And it is not over yet, as Morocco will play the third-place match against Croatia on Saturday 17 December at the Khalifa Stadium (Doha).
Clubs chasing the Lion
His World Cup has boosted his stock on the transfer market. Ziyech is being courted from all sides for the January window, notably by Tottenham and Newcastle. AC Milan, who have come back in, have been after the Moroccan for 3 months without success. After his fine World Cup, it will be harder still for clubs like Newcastle, who are not playing in European competition, to hope to land him.
The Chelsea winger has received plenty of praise for his performances in the tournament. Dutch head coach Louis van Gaal, for example, called him a "wonderful player" while his Moroccan counterpart, Walid Regragui, described him as "incredible".
Jim CEESAY