Chelsea star withdraws from national team squad to return to Stamford Bridge

Hakim Ziyech withdraws from the Morocco squad and returns to Chelsea

According to The Metro, Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech has withdrawn from the Moroccan squad.

He has since returned to the club. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) has confirmed that Ziyech withdrew from the squad ahead of their friendly against DR Congo on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old returned to competitive action in Morocco’s friendly against Senegal earlier this week.

According to the report, the RMFF has confirmed that Chelsea were keen for Ziyech to be given some playing time during the international break in order to boost his match fitness.

Chelsea has earlier reached an agreement with Morocco that would allow Ziyech to return to London after the friendly against Senegal.

The Blues face Southampton next Saturday. It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will make his Chelsea debut against the Saints.

Ziyech has been out injured since sustaining limping off in Chelsea’s pre-season friendly against Brighton.

While he is yet to make his Blues return, the midfielder played the final half-hour of Morocco’s 3-1 win over Senegal in a friendly.

He was involved in two of his side’s three goals while also directly assisting one of them. This augurs well for Chelsea, whose attack will be enhanced by the player’s return.

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While Ziyech is nearing a return, the same cannot be said for Edouard Mendy.

The Senegalese international withdrew form his national team due to a thigh injury. He is unlikely to feature against Southampton.