Hakim Ziyech’s qualities have been praised by Chelsea coach Graham Potter, who also noted that if he wants to play more, he must be patient.
Ziyech left Ajax to join Chelsea in the summer of 2020, but he has struggled to find playing time in West London. In 95 games, he has scored 14 goals, mostly while sitting on the bench.
Potter believes the winger has and will continue to get opportunities but shouldn’t expect to play every game, despite the fact that he has only started one Premier League game in 2022–23. The winger was one of the star players at the 2022 World Cup, helping Morocco to the semi-finals.
“He played against Man City, he came on against Newcastle,” said Potter.
“He was a little bit away from the first XI when we first came, but he’s been involved in the games. He came on in our first game.
“We know his qualities. We like him as a player. He plays between the lines, has fantastic quality as we saw at the World Cup.
“At Chelsea, there are always good players who aren’t in the starting XI. You have to be patient. Delighted for him he got the game time, and helped his team. I kept in touch with him over the World Cup. He’s a good guy and he’s got quality.”
After playing a significant part in the Atlas Lions’ offensive movements as they advanced to a historic semifinal, Ziyech scored one goal and assisted on another.
The 28-year-old has struggled to establish a starting position at Chelsea under three coaches—Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, and now Potter—which has sparked transfer rumors. Former club Ajax and Serie A champions AC Milan are rumored to be interested in the player during the January transfer window.
When Chelsea resume their Premier League campaign at home against Bournemouth on December 27, Ziyech won’t be playing, but he will be hoping that his performance at the World Cup has persuaded Potter to give him more opportunities when he returns.
