• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech makes major decision over Morocco international future

Home> Absolute Chelsea

Updated 13:26 4 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 14:24 13 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech makes major decision over Morocco international future

Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech has not played for his country in over a year.

Sam Collins

Sam Collins

Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech has made a massive decision to return to the Moroccan national team just seven months after retiring from international football.

The 29-year-old has not played for his national team in over a year due to a falling out with former head coach, Vahid Halilhodzic.

Despite purely focusing on his club career, last season was a tricky one for Ziyech at Chelsea.

Advert

Having joined in 2020 under the management of Frank Lampard he penned a five-year deal Stamford Bridge from AFC Ajax.

The move has not gone as hoped, with Ziyech unable to nail down a consistent starting spot in the side since he arrived.

While there have been some fantastic moments from the winger, such as his wonderful curling strike against Tottenham Hotspur and his Super Cup goal against Villarreal, he has been hampered by injuries.

How to watch: Chelsea vs FC Salzburg (Champions League): TV channel, live-stream, kick-off time

Advert

Hakim Ziyech receiving treatment against Southampton. (Alamy)
Hakim Ziyech receiving treatment against Southampton. (Alamy)

Last year he appeared 44 times for the Blues, scoring eight times and registering six assists.

During his time with the west London side on top of the injuries he has had to contend with problems with his national team.

The relationship between himself and Halilhodzic was one that fell apart despite the attacker being one of the stars of the squad.

Advert

69-year-old Halilhodzic believed that Ziyech faked an injury to avoid playing in friendly matches and therefore left him out of the side for World Cup qualifying and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Following this, Ziyech announced his decision in February that he would be retiring from the international team.

Two key Chelsea stars miss training at Cobham ahead of Champions League clash vs FC Salzburg

Hakim Ziyech in Champions League action against Dinamo Zagreb. (Alamy)
Hakim Ziyech in Champions League action against Dinamo Zagreb. (Alamy)

Advert

However, in August the Bosnian was sacked due to tension with the football federation over his player selection, largely because of his dealings with Ziyech.

Walid Regragui has now taken the reigns, and as quoted by BBC Sport, he has made the decision to recall the Moroccan to the squad.

He said: "When I spoke to him, he accepted immediately and told me that he couldn't wait to return to the squad."

He continued: "I know he's quite a strong character, for example he can raise his hand in protest if I replace him and his a player who does everything to assert himself on the pitch to play.

"We will wait for the Hakim that all Moroccans love, the one who fights on the pitch and who gives everything to his team."

Advert

With the Qatar World Cup rapidly approaching Ziyech will be trying everything he can to restore his status as Morocco's leading man.

As well as the national team, there will also be an opportunity for him at club level again.

He looked likely to be on his way out of Chelsea this summer, but has remained in England, with new head coach Potter replacing Tuchel, he has a chance to impress.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech, Football

Sam Collins
Sam Collins

Contributor for Absolute Chelsea. Sports Journalism Student.

X

@SamCollinsSJ

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 years ago
  • 3 years ago

    Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital's Consortium: Meet Chelsea’s New Owners’ After £4.25 Billion Takeover Completed

    Taking a look into who is involved in the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Capital consortium after their takeover of Chelsea was confirmed.

    Absolute Chelsea
  • Hakim Ziyech in 'advanced talks' to leave Chelsea this summer
  • Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz makes major decision over his future that will rock world football
  • Napoli make shocking final decision over Victor Osimhen's future after failed Chelsea move
  • Arsenal and Chelsea target Nico Williams 'makes decision' on his future that has stunned everyone