- Forward starred at 2022 World Cup
- Started only on PL game this season
- Faces fierce competition for places
WHAT HAPPENED?The Morocco international, who helped his country to make history at Qatar 2022 as they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, has been restricted to just nine appearances at club level this season. Ziyech has started only one Premier League game and has seen a move to Italy heavily speculated on ahead of the January transfer window, while also being linked with Newcastle.
WHAT THEY SAID: Quizzed on whether Ziyech has a future at Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea's return to domestic action, Blues boss Potter said: “He’s been a little bit away from the first XI but he’s been involved in the games. He came on in the first game as a sub. We know his qualities, we like him as a player, he plays in between the lines, has fantastic qualities which we saw at the World Cup. We can speak a lot but the chances are there are always good players who aren’t in the starting XI you have to be patient. I’m delighted for him, I kept in touch with him over the World Cup. I’m delighted for him that he got the game time and helped his team. He’s a good guy and he’s got quality.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ziyech joined Chelsea from Ajax in the summer of 2020 and has taken in 92 appearances for the club across all competitions, registering 14 goals.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT? Part of the problem for Ziyech is that Chelsea – who will be back in Premier League action on Tuesday against Bournemouth – are loaded with attacking talent, with the 29-year-old having to compete with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Kai Havertz for game time.