“Premier League doesn’t suit him”- Joe Cole gives verdict on 29-year-old Chelsea star

Joe Cole thinks Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is not suited to the Premier League

As per the quotes in Daily Mail, former Chelsea star Joe Cole thinks the Blues winger Hakim Ziyech is not suited to Premier League football.

Ziyech, who has been one of the stars for Morocco in the World Cup, has been on the fringes at Chelsea and has struggled for regular game time under any of the three managers he has played under so far at Stamford Bridge.

The former Ajax man has had no problem producing the goods for the national team though. He scored and assisted one goal each to carry Morocco into the knockout stage of the World Cup. In the last-16 tie against Spain, he scored one of the penalties to beat the European heavyweights in the shootout.

Here’s what Cole said about the 29-year-old and his time in England thus far (h/t Daily Mail):

“He just looks like a happier player for Morocco. He’s had a very difficult time at Chelsea and he hasn’t had a rhythm to his game. 

“The Premier League doesn’t suit him. It’s aggressive, up and down. Playing for Ajax he could hug the touchline and the team would very much play through the lines, give him the ball and he’s got a lovely left-foot, comes inside and delivers the ball.”

The issue with Ziyech has been the lack of chances in a blue jersey. It is either him not doing enough on the training pitch to convince the manager to pick him, or maybe he is at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Quality-wise, the 29-year-old has everything. We have seen his game in Qatar and how good it has been for the national team.

It is a credit to him that despite little to no football during the first half of this season (played only 271 minutes), he has been able to stay fit and in rhythm to produce big displays for his country. He would fancy his chances against Portugal or Switzerland in the quarter-final.

Ziyech’s contract at Chelsea runs until the summer of 2025 (Transfermarkt). AC Milan has been linked with him for a half-season loan move in January with an option to buy (Evening Standard).

Days before the World Cup, the 29-year-old shared his ambitions of doing well in the tournament to convince Milan to pull the trigger on his signature.

More Chelsea News:

• Shearer urges Newcastle United to sign Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol
• Chelsea have opened talks to sign Mexican international Alexis Vega
• N’Golo Kante included in 25-man Chelsea squad for mid-season training

It feels pretty much like his Chelsea future is all but done. It’s a shame for us because he is a fantastic player who will do well wherever he plays next.