It was not that long ago when Hakim Ziyech was the player many supporters were roundly excited to see take his first steps as a Chelsea player. Secured in February 2020 from Ajax, the Moroccan heralded a bold summer of recruitment.
Ziyech had dazzled the Stamford Bridge crowd for Ajax, turning around and shrugging at the Matthew Harding Lower in a manic 4-4 draw with the Blues in the Champions League. In the over two years since, the Harding Stand might be shrugging back at Ziyech for a different reason.
The very real pursuit for Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is yet another star being chased in hopes of resolving the attacking underperformance that Ziyech is a part of. Sterling's profile demands a first-team place which will limit chances for others.
