Chelsea: Hakim Ziyech faces up to reality
After his failed move to PSG in the final hours of the January transfer window, Hakim Ziyech has to get back to business at Chelsea.
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Hakim Ziyech is arguably the big loser from his collapsed move to PSG. Out of favour at Chelsea since arriving from Ajax in 2020, the Moroccan winger had a good chance to relaunch his career in France. He spends most of his time stuck on the Blues' bench (610 minutes played in all competitions since the start of the season, the equivalent of six matches in total).
But because of administrative blunders - Chelsea sent incomplete documents, which prevented his contract from being registered - Hakim Ziyech will not be pulling on the Paris shirt this season after all. He will therefore have to settle for staying a high-class substitute at Chelsea. All the more so as the London club have strengthened considerably in his position, with the arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk, João Félix and Noni Madueke this winter.
Disappointed or not, though, the Moroccan needs to put this episode behind him quickly and refocus on his current club. And fortunately, with a fair amount of experience at the highest level at almost 30, the Atlas Lion seems to have understood that this is no time for lamenting or looking for a scapegoat. Rather, it is time to work.
He was indeed quick to return to training with the Blues on Thursday 2 February, the day after the appeal against the rejection of his contract registration was turned down by the LFP's legal commission. "He's back and he trained this morning," said his manager Graham Potter. "These things won't be the first or the last. He's a great professional. He understands. He's committed, he's available, and he will be an important player for the rest of the season." Another chance to join PSG will surely come along for him. Perhaps next June. Who knows?