Fabrizio Romano confirms that Chelsea attacker has played his last game for the club

Hakim Ziyech won’t return to Chelsea as Galatasaray trigger buy clause

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Hakim Ziyech won’t return to Chelsea next season after the Moroccan was sent on loan to Galatasaray in the last summer window, and the Turkish side has triggered the obligation to buy the forward next season.

In the first half of the season, Ziyech was one of the standout players for Galatasaray in the Champions League, and his performance against Manchester United raised his stock, but the former Ajax player suffered a dip in form as the season progressed.

Uncertainty was raised about whether the Turkish side would make a permanent move for him, but now it’s been assured that they feel the 31-year-old can still make an impact with more time given. He’s played 16 Super League games for the league leaders, with 6 goals and 3 assists.

Fabrizio Romano’s latest update via X sheds light on the future of Hakim Ziyech, revealing that the Moroccan winger won’t be returning to Chelsea next season. Ziyech’s loan spell at Galatasaray has culminated in the Turkish club exercising their option to make the move permanent.

Despite a promising start with Galatasaray, particularly highlighted by his standout performance against Manchester United in the Champions League, Ziyech experienced a downturn in form as the season progressed. Although uncertainties surrounded Galatasaray’s decision to sign Ziyech permanently, Romano confirms that the Turkish side sees potential in the 31-year-old winger and believes he can still make a significant impact.

Ziyech’s Super League campaign has seen him feature in 16 games, where he has notched up six goals and provided three assists. This contribution, coupled with his experience and skill set, has convinced Galatasaray to secure his services for the foreseeable future.

His loan fee was around 3.58m euros (£3m), so the Blues will get something out of the 31-year-old’s exit from the club permanently, and his wages will come off the books, which will be more important for the Blues as they aim to comply with the Premier League Financial Fair Play Rules.

The Blues had been seeking a permanent move for Ziyech, and his loan spell at Galatasaray provided the opportunity to secure his departure from the club. Despite the subdued nature of his exit, Chelsea will now focus on optimizing their squad and financial resources for the future.

Ziyech’s tenure at Chelsea, despite his notable achievements at Ajax Amsterdam, is unlikely to leave a lasting impression at Stamford Bridge. While he played a crucial role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, his overall contribution to the club failed to meet expectations.

The Moroccan’s arrival at Chelsea did not generate significant hype, and unfortunately, he struggled to replicate the form that made him a standout player at Ajax.

More Chelsea news

• Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea have cooled their interest in Ivan Toney
• Benoit Badiashile lauds Mauricio Pochettino for restoring Chelsea’s players confidence
• Brighton & Hove Albion green light Sam Jewell to become Chelsea head of recruitment

As Ziyech’s tenure at Chelsea draws to a close, it marks the end of a chapter in his career with the Premier League club. While his time at Stamford Bridge had its moments, including memorable goals and performances, Ziyech now looks set to embark on a new journey with Galatasaray, where he will aim to showcase his talents and get his career back on track.