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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

Hakim Ziyech offered fresh hope over Chelsea future after World Cup heroics with Morocco

Graham Potter insists Chelsea are “delighted” with Hakim Ziyech and urged patience for the Blues’ extended senior squad.

Ziyech starred in Morocco’s fourth-place World Cup finish, showcasing his full creative repertoire on the global stage in Qatar.

The 29-year-old has struggled to impose himself similarly at Stamford Bridge, leaving AC Milan monitoring his situation closely with a view to enticing the former Ajax playmaker to Serie A.

Ziyech has featured just nine times for Chelsea this term, but boss Potter still sees a crucial role for the talented forward.

“He was a little bit away from the first XI when we arrived at the club,” said Potter. “But he’s been involved and we know his qualities. We like him as a player, and he’s someone who plays in between the lines.”

World Cup heroics: Hakim Ziyech may still have a future at Chelsea under Graham Potter (REUTERS)

Ziyech joined Chelsea in 2020 as part of Frank Lampard’s Blues overhaul. Lampard viewed securing Ziyech’s services and his game-breaking abilities as a major coup, but was never able to coax the very best out of the mercurial forward.

Thomas Tuchel’s favoured system offered little scope for Ziyech to bring his specific talents to bear, but Potter is not about to give up on carving out the right Stamford Bridge niche.

“You can always speak a lot at Chelsea, because there will always be good players that aren’t in the starting XI, and you have to be patient,” said Potter.

“But we’ve been delighted with him, and delighted for him at the World Cup, I’ve kept in touch with him over the tournament. He’s a good guy and he’s got quality.”

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