It would be highly disingenuous for anyone to act completely amazed that Hakim Ziyech is actually a talented player. Chelsea supporters should have known that from the moment he masterfully curled in a free-kick at the Matthew Harding End in 2019 for Ajax, turning to the stunned home crowd and calmly shrugging his shoulders.
That was an encapsulation of the Moroccan's best attribute, moments of artistry and flair. Ziyech is not an automaton or a robot to be programmed into boredom. He needs a sense of responsibility and freedom, something that arguably has been absent at Chelsea since Frank Lampard, the coach who pushed for his signature, departed.
In Qatar, the 29-year-old has managed to shrug off the frustrations in London, excelling in his nation's remarkable run to Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against France.
READ MORE: Ziyech, Hutchinson - Six Chelsea stars to be impacted by Armando Broja's season-ending injury
Whatever happens at the Al Bayt Stadium, Ziyech and Morocco's campaign is already a success: getting out of a group containing Belgium, Croatia and Canada, then beating Spain and Portugal in the previous two knockout rounds.
Ziyech has started every game at the World Cup en route to the final four, three more than he got in Chelsea's opening 23 games of the season, having only made two at club level.
There is increased expectation January will bring the end of his time at Chelsea, with strong links to AC Milan and his former club Ajax growing in the last year. His reputation is not great amongst supporters and even with a change in head coach in September, Ziyech's minutes did not improve under Graham Potter.
But his resurgence on the international stage might give interim sporting director Todd Boehly, along with Potter, some hesitancy to part ways with him so flippantly. Ziyech is not the only Chelsea player to use the World Cup as an opportunity to regain some confidence.
Earlier in the tournament, Christian Pulisic enjoyed good displays for the USA, scoring a huge goal against Iran to take his nation into the knockout stages. It prompts further questions about the environment at Chelsea and why players have struggled this season. How can Potter rekindle some of that confidence in the second half of the season?
When Ziyech returns, being knocked back down to a fringe role will likely only cement his imminent exit, but the form he has shown on the right of Walid Regragui's attack at the very least has reminded watchers of his talent.
READ NEXT:
Chelsea's Joao Felix transfer stance revealed following Armando Broja injury news
Four things learned from Chelsea vs Aston Villa and Abu Dhabi training as Potter drops hint
Todd Boehly 'close' to completing first Chelsea January transfer amid Armando Broja injury
Reece James sends Graham Potter message after Aston Villa as Chelsea transfer priority emerges
Arsenal and Chelsea told new Yunus Musah transfer cost after Liverpool deal Jude Bellingham blow
