Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech is enjoying an excellent World Cup for Morocco, who have made it to the quarter-final stage.
Ziyech has struggled at Chelsea ever since the move from Ajax, but has found himself out of the team more than ever under Graham Potter.
But that hasn't stopped the winger from finding form with his national team, who have taken everyone by surprise.
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Former Chelsea star Joe Cole details the reasons why Ziyech's fortunes have been different on the international stage.
''He just looks like a happier player for Morocco,'' Cole told Football.London. ''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.
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''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.
''But when we’ve watched him here, he’s playing with an intensity and a smile on his face. Ziyech is a talented boy but it’s just not worked for him at Chelsea.''
Ziyech's talent is obvious, but he has never looked like a Chelsea-level player since his big-money move over two years ago.
Ziyech at Ajax
The 29-year-old had been a revelation during Ajax’s famous run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
Playing a key role under Erik ten Hag, the Dutch side put champions Real Madrid and Italian giants Juventus to the sword.
But like his ex-Ajax teammates Frenkie De Jong and Mathijs De Ligt, Ziyech has stagnated since leaving Holland.
He has scored only six Premier League goals in two and a half seasons, adding six assists.
For such a big team like Chelsea, that is clearly not enough output given his €40 million transfer fee.
This season he has fallen well down the pecking order under new manager Graham Potter, starting just two games in all competitions.
Lipabcdt
0
CHELSEA OWNER IS NOT SERIOUS AT CHELSEA FC PORTER IS NOT A GOOD COACH AT CHELSEA
Lipabcdt
0
ziyech isn't a floopped but porter is not a good coach at chelsea fc
Ahmodisco22
0
I am a hardcore Chelsea fan but it's the truth
yeah maybe you right but he doesn’t look happy at chelsea
yoeadeotu
1
Because Chelsea only know how to treat English players better than the other am a Chelsea fan and that’s what I see happening.
teeacdlpr
0
Gtf you probably an barcelona or man u fan
I am a hardcore Chelsea fan but it's the truth
Kkrexuke
0
That's because Americans destroy while the rest of the world build.
kidakstyz
0
in chelsea, there will be only english player can play in the future.
Stdismas
0
Chelsea should play him starting 11... if Chelsea sell him... Chelsea will regret
We won’t regret anything . With all the noise y’ll are making about ziyech . How many take -on’s has he made at the World Cup. The guy is good but not extra ordinary. Someone needs to tell him that for him to change his attitude & work hard . EPL isn’t holland league . A player who can’t score 10 EPL goals a season. Ziyech is no where near Mahrez but he warming the bench@ city. Ziyech is no where near Bernardo Silva but he’s been played outta position. The guy is good , average . There’s nothinh extra o about his game . He won’t get into klopp, pep or Conte’s team with his attitude .
Stdismas
1
ziyech never struggled, Chelsea is just a dumb club with much money, with dumb staffs, winning there matches with mere luck
Imagine. Big head with small mind . U know nothing about football . Chelsea isn’t the problem. Ziyech is the problem . He has a bad attitude. Bcos he has a left foot he thinks , he’s Messi , Bernardo Silva … he’s not even at Mahrez’s level but he’s sitting on the bench . Chelsea will be glad to him to who ever come calling . Look at Vini , Bernardo, Rodrygo , Foden … they track back ,to help their teams when they losses possession. Ziyech losses the ball ⚽️ more often than any players the field but react poorly after doing that . How many chance doesn’t create in a game . How many take-on’s does he do in a game? He guy can’t even score 12 EPL goals but u guys won’t let Chelsea coaches rest . I admit he not playing regular but he behaves poorly when givn the chance . Fucking sell him already .
Stdismas
0
Chelsea should play him starting 11... if Chelsea sell him... Chelsea will regret
Guys!! No one is saying Ziyech isn’t good . His work rate is another problem. EPL is physically. Ziyech loses the ball & doesn’t depend or work enough to retrieve . Have u seen jr Vini with Madrid & Brazil lately . That wasn’t part of his game but he has added that to his game . Ziyech attitude is bad and doesn’t play for the time . With 433 requires all The players working hard & tracking back . They guy thinks he’s some kinda God and doesn’t work for the team. He’s a good player no doubt but Pep , klopp , conte or Jose won’t rush for his signature. Wait & see no coach in English would go for him . Ten hag might go for him . United can have him . Good riddance
jucabeklst
4
Potter,the English boys (some)ain’t ready to wins trophies for Chelsea.Everyone deserves playing time coach potter.Ziyech is your playmaker to be
Debdkprsyz
2
give him other chance,ad this for Chelsea don't know his number
ChelseaFC_Addict
1
ziyech never struggled, Chelsea is just a dumb club with much money, with dumb staffs, winning there matches with mere luck
Chelsea FC have won Two Uefa champions league titles 💙 My question is to you is When will PSG win Uefa champions league trophy 🏆 without luck since Chelsea FC is winning with luck????
Ahmodisco22
0
ziyech is not a flop, Chelsea themselves is a flop
Gtf you probably an barcelona or man u fan
Ahmodisco22
0
English football is not about skill. That is Ziyech is failing to perform. He must go to La liga
Exactly the premier is just hard for him to fit in and he’s also getting old had it been he came earlier younger he would have already adapted
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
Chelsea's build up play is really poor. It's a graveyard for the attacking players because the midfield and defence is so incompetent. Moreover, Ziyech could never fit at Chelsea as soon as we started playing a back 3. He was signed by Chelsea to play as a No 10 in Lampard's system and he was effective for a while. Under Tuchel, he found himself being an outsider in that 3-4-2-1 system. And it's pretty much the same story under Potter.
Chelsea FC must sell him Then, its crime to football lovers to see players like Ziyech being treated the way Chelsea FC does to them
Ahmodisco22
0
Chelsea doesnt know how to use players imstead the slaughter just like united. if ziyech goes to liverpool and city, you will see the beast in him.
he should go to la liga he will be much better
Ahmodisco22
0
Chelsea doesnt know how to use players imstead the slaughter just like united. if ziyech goes to liverpool and city, you will see the beast in him.
no one ruined his life it’s just that it’s not all player that can play in the premier league
ChelseaFC_Addict
3
Chelsea FC is playing a defensive football with 7 defenders so that leaves all attackers to fight for 3 places which comes down to the coach favourites and Tuchel never loved Ziyech even worse Potter doesn't care about Ziyech I wish to see him leave Chelsea FC
BigMule12
2
At Chelsea there's no respect, not coach but even board
jasondrx77
0
it's not the league it's the coach and the role he's given. he plays well for me on Football manager, even Pulisic plays well for me.
fiwcdlopsu
0
Chelsea doesnt know how to use players imstead the slaughter just like united. if ziyech goes to liverpool and city, you will see the beast in him.
Pusbcdems
0
Ziyech never flopped at Chelsea, the problem of Chelsea is couch not the players, the stupid idiotic couch of Chelsea don't know whom to select and whom to leave in the bench, since he came to Chelsea he has been beaching Ziyech but whyyyyyy??
Andy_Mac
3
Chelsea's build up play is really poor. It's a graveyard for the attacking players because the midfield and defence is so incompetent. Moreover, Ziyech could never fit at Chelsea as soon as we started playing a back 3. He was signed by Chelsea to play as a No 10 in Lampard's system and he was effective for a while. Under Tuchel, he found himself being an outsider in that 3-4-2-1 system. And it's pretty much the same story under Potter.
kcbliz
7
ziyech never struggled, Chelsea is just a dumb club with much money, with dumb staffs, winning there matches with mere luck
cedcdorsuy
0
For Chelsea this guy doesn't play, all the coaches at Chelsea don't really use ziye to play, so I don't believe that he's a flop at Chelsea no
ur right bro
Wudcdint
3
English football is not about skill. That is Ziyech is failing to perform. He must go to La liga
sangaytsheri
0
Chelsea should give him another chance he is an outstanding player he can score many goals from long range he is wizard
teeacdlpr
6
ziyech is not a flop, Chelsea themselves is a flop
AmoGmanchester
0
Chelsea should play him starting 11... if Chelsea sell him... Chelsea will regret
exactly
AmoGmanchester
2
For Chelsea this guy doesn't play, all the coaches at Chelsea don't really use ziye to play, so I don't believe that he's a flop at Chelsea no
YoDaddy8
1
Ziyech and Pulisic both should leave Chelsea.
kay7
2
Chelsea should play him starting 11... if Chelsea sell him... Chelsea will regret
Caydklnpsu
1
Lack of game is the main reason keeping him on the bench and letting him play only 20,30 min couldn't bring him in form
mikceiny
1
Give him time
Jaccdiksty
6
because Chelsea didn't use him properly and didn't play him in his prefer position how can he flourish when they play with wing back as their main attacking system