Morocco's Hakim Ziyech in action. (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
Speaking to the media after the game (h/t Daily Mail), Morocco boss Walid Regragui heaped praise on Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech for an impressive performance in his team’s shock 2-0 win over Belgium in the World Cup.
After a tight first half, the African side took the game on and scored two good goals to win the game. In the 73rd minute, Abdelhamid Sabiri swung in a wide free-kick and it went all the way in following a mistake from Thibaut Courtois.
In the second half added time, Ziyech, who had an excellent game, harried the Belgian defence and produced an excellent cut-back for Zakaria Aboukhlal to thump his effort into the roof of the net to complete the victory.
Praising the player and his attributes, here’s Regragui (h/t Daily Mail):
“He’s incredible. A lot of people talk about him as a difficult guy to manage but what I see is that, when you give him love and confidence, he will die for you. It is what I give him and he returns my confidence.”
Apart from the assist, the Chelsea winger produced two key passes, made three tackles and one interception and had a pass accuracy rate of over 76% (Sofascore). It was an overall impressive display from a player who has not played much football this season during the first half of the club season. He also had a free-kick goal disallowed for offside in the first half.
Ziyech featured for a total of only 270 minutes in all competitions for the Blues so far this campaign. He has been on the fringes of the squad under any of the three managers he has played under at Stamford Bridge.
The former Ajax man has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in January, with AC Milan potentially looking at a half-season loan deal. A few days ago, it was reported by Football.London that the 29-year-old is determined to have a great World Cup to convince Milan of signing him.
The Morocco star has a contract until the summer of 2025 with the west London club (Transfermarkt). It remains to be seen where his future lies in club football. A good World Cup may either elevate his asking price or put Graham Potter in a situation where he has to play the winger in a Chelsea team struggling for goals and creativity.
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