Hakim Ziyech has failed his medical. (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)
As per the quotes in Football.London, Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has big dreams for Morocco in the World Cup after he helped his country beat Belgium 2-0 in their previous group-stage game.
Ziyech was exceptional against the Belgians, and he topped the performance off with an assist late on in the second half for the second goal. He did put the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but it was ruled out for offside.
Morocco are now on four points from two games, the same as Croatia who are ahead in the table on goal difference. Since Croatia and Belgium meet on the last matchday, even a defeat can get the African side through to the next round. They can be sure of the qualification with a draw or win against Canada (ESPN).
Ziyech retired from international football in February 2022 after a huge fall out with the national team manager but returned to action to play for his team in Qatar. Here’s what he said regarding the big dreams he has for the Moroccans in Qatar (h/t Football.London):
“To play for the country and reach the World Cup, it really made my parents and my family proud. Every kid around the world dreams of playing in the World Cup. You grow up watching these amazing games and looking at the best players around the world playing in this competition, so to be here is a fantastic feeling.
“We’ve achieved so much to be here but we still want to push on. We take things game by game but of course, you have to think big if you want to achieve something.”
The former Ajax man has been on the fringes at Chelsea though. Since he arrived from Amsterdam in 2020 till date, the 29-year-old has struggled for regular game time under any of the three managers the Blues have had in that period.
During the first half of the club football season, Ziyech featured for a total of 270 minutes in all competitions for the Blues. That is not even close to how much he would have ideally liked to play.
AC Milan are linked with a move for the winger in the January transfer window. As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Milan News (h/t Football.London), the defending Serie A champions are considering a six-month loan deal with a €15m option to buy.
As it stands, it seems unlikely that Ziyech will be reinstated back in the regular setup at Chelsea under Potter. So, it would make sense to let him go once the transfer window opens. A good World Cup may help the Blues in increasing the price tag though.
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