If you gazed back to last summer, there were weekly stories suggesting that AC Milan were interested in taking Hakim Ziyech on loan from Chelsea after a challenging first season.
Ziyech had struggled with injury setbacks in the summer of 2020, and it took him a few months to finally kickstart his new chapter in west London. In reflection, it was that opening introduction to the Chelsea faithful that will likely be regarded as his strongest since the £33m move from Ajax over two years ago.
Now there are widely backed up reports that AC Milan are back and in talks to secure a loan.
READ MORE: Who is Matheus Nunes? Todd Boehly plots £43m bid as Chelsea copy Bruno Fernandes transfer trick
The Moroccan was always one of the names likely to be on the move, not only because of the lower price the club initially paid for him compared to his peers but also because there has been a growing feeling under Thomas Tuchel that the winger doesn't fit.
This is not to suggest that Ziyech has enjoyed no high points under Tuchel. There were big goals in the Champions League and FA Cup against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, respectively. For the first few months of 2022, Ziyech was arguably Chelsea's top performer, netting in three consecutive league games, all of his goals breaking the deadlock and leading to valuable points.
Ziyech did slightly improve on his 2020/21 numbers, netting eight goals and assisting six, compared to the six goals and four he created the season before. His underlying numbers validate this with an overall xG of 0.27 and xA of 0.31 in 2021/22 vs. an xG of 0.23 and xA of 0.27 in 2020/21.
However, like a majority of attacking players under Tuchel, he has lacked consistency. Be that in individual performances or selection in the first team, some of that is hindered by injury and a packed schedule. At 29, Ziyech is in his prime and wants to be playing regularly. Something that the Serie A champions can probably offer him.
Ziyech was brought into Chelsea under Lampard, who quickly made him a focal point for his creativity, rotating well with Reece James down the right flank and looking to switch play to the left where Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell would look to make runs behind defences.
Tuchel has little room for a free playmaker role that Lampard provided, with only a change to a 4-3-3, which we saw against Spurs in the Carabao Cup last season, offering a glimpse into those early months again.
Although this move is probably the best outcome for the player, whilst also freeing up space for two potential attacking arrivals, it does beg the question of whether Tuchel needs to show more flexibility to allow that role to develop from next season.
It appears that with Raheem Sterling and likely one other winger coming in, over £100m could again be spent on an underperforming area. One of the ways in which situations like Ziyech could be avoided is by offering the room for talent to fully express themselves a bit more.
READ NEXT:
Who is Matheus Nunes? Todd Boehly plots £43m bid as Chelsea copy Bruno Fernandes transfer trick
Raheem Sterling and Matthijs de Ligt deals will complete Thomas Tuchel's brave Chelsea formation
Todd Boehly set for crunch talks with Chelsea striker as Raheem Sterling transfer moves closer
Thierry Henry hands Thomas Tuchel perfect Cristiano Ronaldo Chelsea transfer response
Forgotten Chelsea pre-season trio could force Todd Boehly to accept Declan Rice transfer defeat
