The 29-year-old started from the bench as the Blues struggled to break down the Hammers in a top-flight fixture at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea fans across the world have questioned the decision by manager Thomas Tuchel to start winger Hakim Ziyech on the bench in their slim 1-0 Premier League victory against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Blues struggled to break down the resilient Hammers at Stamford Bridge and finally needed a stoppage-time Christian Pulisic goal to silence their London rivals.
The introduction of the 29-year-old Morocco international in the 76th minute for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic for Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku for Kai Havertz, helped Chelsea to put pressure on West Ham, who were later reduced to 10-men when Craig Dawson was shown a straight red card in the 86th minute.
Frustrated Chelsea fans have shown their displeasure at Tuchel for his decision to leave out Ziyech, insisting such a fixture needed his trickery to unlock the Hammers.
Below is how Twitter reacted to Tuchel’s decision to bench Ziyech.
The introduction of Ziyech, who has so far managed four top-flight goals from 19 matches, left one fan celebrating, describing the player as “a wizard and exactly what we wanted”.
Meanwhile, another supporter claimed the decision to bench Ziyech had denied them the opportunity to see his potential despite starting the season well, while another described his cameo off the bench as incredible.
Another set of supporters believes the 29-year-old should start in Chelsea’s next league game against Manchester United alongside Lukaku and Pulisic, while another questioned why he was being “frozen out of the squad.”
Do you agree that Ziyech should be a regular starter for Chelsea? Give us your thoughts in the comment box below.
harbysky
0
The coaches knows better. This is all I can say, if Ziyech was very consistent this season he wouldn’t be starting from the bench in some games. When Werner lost form he was benched, same as Marcos, J5 and co. The coach knows better
Told you Ziyech is not good enough !!
theRaoullDarshan
1
Start Ziyech he can give nice balls and shoot long range he must start.
Laeadmnpty
2
exactly he must start. such a result oriented player
Timakryz
1
of course we need that vision
Hecanopt
0
lets james play at forward..hes good for right winger..
Tetdeoprsu
0
starve him first then bring him in, benching is not disregard pls.
Noobens
1
yes
Fiebikrsyz
1
of course must be starting with Man United because ziyech have got dangerous passe.
carlojay
0
yes
Dedadilpst
0
yes
caoaelmy
1
yes
Seeacekms
0
but due to current form Warner should be the starter let him prove himself
Seeacekms
1
I guess he should play right together with Havertz and mount
Habcdekop
1
yes I agree 100%
betekotz
0
The coach knows better.
Ketabdmnp
1
Ziyech is know made for bench I don’t know the reason why our coach is benching him, we want him and pulisic along every staring of the March? The two players are the best in form to start first half that is my opinion.
kaeabklmn
0
definitely, he deserves that because of he's ability of providing and he is definitely a playmaker if used properly
lizbdeirs
1
why not
Kennedy90
0
He has the skill a break an attack with lot of killer pass from the center if he has a sharp striker like hervert or timo
Asked you ur self this question how many assist does he have or big chance he have created
ALHEMPEROR
0
I see a lot of people commenting, Ziyech should start if you think u know the work better than the coach then apply for the the job, ask your self this question how many big chance have Ziyech created since playing him or how many Goals or assist does he have
He has the skill a break an attack with lot of killer pass from the center if he has a sharp striker like hervert or timo
Juydlmorsy
2
chealsea thy first mess very badly that position nor first fit them mendy mess better na we man u
hoeabcilnt
1
coach know better that is what I can say
Harry_0044
0
let him start ahead of Timo Werner
Were you asleep when writing this
Wekacdoruz
0
yea
Leyelpru
0
yes
Humash
0
He must be a crucial part of the team
Freeson
0
imagine Ziyech and Reece James combination as a Right Winger and Right back respectively.
piudenps
2
ziyech isn't consistent with his performance and in tough and aggressive games,he is always lost and shorts the team because he doesn't track back.i like him but he is lazy off the ball so I like how TT is deploying him.he should work harder if he wants to become a starter again
Vombeoru
0
this boy is just too inconsistent an really lack stamina,he should just go an try his luck with Roma
Treasure6453
0
Ziyech should be a regular starter for Chelsea
yiecelruz
1
ziyech in and chelsea wil be back to winning cups
yiecelruz
0
now what is tt's plans with kenneth he is such a creative player
yiecelruz
1
100 percent if we start with ziyech
yuabilpsy
0
against Manchester united
yuabilpsy
0
Start ziyech pulisic wener and James then bench harvert against man utd
yuabilpsy
0
Start ziyech pulisic wener and James then bench harvert against man utd
you're correct bros
yuabilpsy
0
let him start ahead of Timo Werner
you're not serious
Kennedy90
2
I see a lot of people commenting, Ziyech should start if you think u know the work better than the coach then apply for the the job, ask your self this question how many big chance have Ziyech created since playing him or how many Goals or assist does he have
bacbcostu
0
I THINK WE SHOULD RESPECT THE DECISION OF THE MANAGER, STOP CRITICIZE THE TACTICS IT ONLY MAKES DOWN THE MORALITY AND SPRITS OF THE PLAYERS SUPPORT THE TEAM GYZ.
NICE ONE BRO.
Kadakoz
1
ziyech suppose start regularly
Echee27
1
Chelsea have tough match ahead, why blaming coach, if if it's only player that will be playing every match on every bases, then why signing other players, sometimes coach need to introduce other players and we have Man United match to play ahead , why complaining
Pobeknos
3
Yes, Ziyech has been the only Chelsea player with creativity and that was lacking in the first half of the game and I don’t know why Tuchel like starting him from the bench knowing how deadly and tricky he is when on the ball. He’s a good player and if Tuchel doesn’t use him much for the rest of the season he might decide to leave and go where he can have a better game time and I fear United might line on the queue for his signature, using the influence of his former boss at Ajax to lure him. Please, let’s Tuchel be guided so we don’t loose another player in the summer to our rivals because you have already loss Rudiger to RMD and won’t be nice loosing another one when we can’t even sit with players and their agents to negotiate renewal or fresh contracts due to the sanctions. Ziyech is a good player and can turn a whole game on his head in a very good day and he’s a fan favourite at the Bridge. His passes at the final third of the opponent is always a joy to watch. Ziyech should start the rest of the fixtures for the season. thank you
Ikbest
1
Yes, Ziyech has been the only Chelsea player with creativity and that was lacking in the first half of the game and I don’t know why Tuchel like starting him from the bench knowing how deadly and tricky he is when on the ball. He’s a good player and if Tuchel doesn’t use him much for the rest of the season he might decide to leave and go where he can have a better game time and I fear United might line on the queue for his signature, using the influence of his former boss at Ajax to lure him. Please, let’s Tuchel be guided so we don’t loose another player in the summer to our rivals because you have already loss Rudiger to RMD and won’t be nice loosing another one when we can’t even sit with players and their agents to negotiate renewal or fresh contracts due to the sanctions. Ziyech is a good player and can turn a whole game on his head in a very good day and he’s a fan favourite at the Bridge. His passes at the final third of the opponent is always a joy to watch. Ziyech should start the rest of the fixtures for the season
nopcdnopsz
0
ziyech have to start
Oga he needs to switch back the formation to 3421 instead of 3412 so mount and ziyech could stay behind havertz or lukaku Werner is in form but ziyech is world class 🙌
Lumbdknprz
2
yes I agree he must start he is very active during the game
suedinptu
3
He's not consistent in his performance
Samklmrtuz
0
yes let him start all the time
biscinst
1
ziyech should start against Manchester united alongside with Timo and Havertz
Lasbeotuy
0
yes, if fit and infrom i see no reason why he should not start
zimbeknoz
0
let him start ahead of Timo Werner