Marco van Basten calls it a ‘shame’ that Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech is not playing regularly
Speaking in an interview with Ziggo Sport as quoted by Football. London, Dutch legend Marco van Basten has called it a ‘shame’ that Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech is not playing football more regularly and has suggested a transfer away from Stamford Bridge for the former Ajax man.
The story of Ziyech and Chelsea has been a very curious one. Joining the Blues from Ajax in 2020, it was expected that the Moroccan will be one of the stars at the Bridge. The reality, however, has been far from that with the 29-year-old struggling to establish himself here.
Injuries have definitely not helped the cause of Hakim Ziyech. Every time he seems to be getting back into form and slowly building up fitness, the Moroccan tends to get injured again and this stop-start nature of his time at Chelsea hasn’t really helped him.
Ziyech has played five times for the Blues this season but he has managed to get just 17% of the minutes possible till now. The 29-year-old needs regular game time to show what he is capable of but with the competition for places amongst the forwards, it seems impossible.
Under new manager Graham Potter, Ziyech has been an unused substitute for two of the four matches until now and it remains to be seen if the Moroccan features more in the upcoming games. Potter is still figuring out his best team and there is a chance that he will give the former Ajax man an opportunity to showcase his abilities.
Speaking about Hakim Ziyech, van Basten feels that it’s not right that Ziyech is not playing more football and probably needs an exit to resurrect his career.
“A player like Ziyech could just play at another club and entertain the fans. There is another transfer window coming upIt is sad and a shame. Ziyech is a great player. It is a pity for the whole of football that he is on the bench. If these kinds of players do not get minutes, it is not good for football.”
It is looking increasingly likely that Ziyech’s time at Stamford Bridge is coming to an end. He does not look like he will get a chance to revive his Chelsea career but we could be proved wrong if Potter decides to hand him a runout in the next games.
If Ziyech is indeed given another chance, it is probably his last shot to prove to Chelsea what he is worth. If he does not take this one too, then there is no doubt that the Blues will look to ship out the 29-year-old come the winter transfer window.
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- Chelsea could make a move for Cristiano Ronaldo either in January or next summer
Ziyech at Chelsea hasn’t really worked out to date. It seems unlikely that the situation will change but for the sake of the player and the club, it will be good if the Moroccan gets to realise his potential in a Blues shirt afterall.