According to reports in the Dutch press, it appears that Hakim Ziyech potential return to Ajax is now uncertain. Following his controversial trip to Russia. Hakim Ziyech’s time at Chelsea has been underwhelming so far. There have been suggestions that he could be among the offloaded players of the club. Particularly considering the need to trim the squad under the new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea’s squad has grown significantly over the past 18 months with several high-profile signings. Hence, the club may look to offload players to create a more streamlined and balanced team. Ziyech’s departure could be seen as a means to address this issue.
During his first season at Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech made 15 starts and appeared in a total of 23 Premier League matches.
In the 2021-2022 season, Hakim Ziyech started 14 times and made a total of six starts in the recently concluded campaign. His playing time was limited to 653 minutes in the Premier League. This indicates that he may no longer be a key part of Chelsea’s plans. Hence, he could be deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Where will Hakim Ziyech head to after leaving Chelsea?
There have been strong links suggesting that Hakim Ziyech could make a return to Ajax. During his previous stint with the club, he had a successful four seasons. Thus scoring 50 goals in 165 appearances across all competitions. The interest from Ajax indicated their willingness to welcome him back to the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Hakim Ziyech faced criticism in the Dutch press after being in a photograph in Russia. Although it is not illegal to travel to Russia, the country’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine has led to it being widely condemned by many nations. This resulted in Russia being a pariah state in the eyes of much of the international community. The backlash surrounding Ziyech’s visit to Russia has raised concerns and may have impacted his potential return to Ajax.
It appears that Hakim Ziyech’s future at Chelsea is uncertain. However, a move back to Ajax also seems unlikely at this point. This leaves Chelsea with the task of finding a suitable destination for the player, as it appears he is to move on from Stamford Bridge.
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