“Love for other players is blinding them from seeing that he’s been good” – Some Chelsea fans feel there is an ‘agenda’ against first-team star
In recent fixtures, Hakim Ziyech has impressed for Chelsea, scoring and assisting once in his last three games. After his winning goal against Malmo FF in their last Champions League outing, some Blues fans believe the Moroccan international has been scapegoated by others.
So far this season, the star has scored just two goals, both of which have come during continental matches. However, his place in Chelsea's starting lineup has been somewhat compromised. Ziyech started only twice in the club's last 10 Premier League games.
After a statistic about Ziyech was shared on Twitter by popular Chelsea fansite CFCDaily, fans came to the star's defense. According to the tweet, the former Ajax playmaker has made 10 key passes in his last four appearances. This includes the five key passes he notably made during the game against Malmo FF yesterday.
Hakim Ziyech has 10 Key Passes in his last 4 appearances and only played no more than 75 minutes in each appearance. #CFC 🤔
Although the star has struggled to perform for Chelsea this season, the recent stat reveal has brought some fans to his defense:
@CFCDaily their love for other players is blinding them from seeing that he's been good
People need to understand that Ziyech has not been the greatest but he also hasn’t been poor. He’s finding back his form. Just give him a chance twitter.com/CFCDaily/statu…
It’s funny coz he’s better than Kai whether people like it or not 👍🏾ziyech Agenda stinks twitter.com/cfcdaily/statu…
@CFCDaily Yes. He's been trying everything. Have to appreciate that and today he put up somewhat a complete performance.
He's also OUR player. 🙏🏻
@CFCDaily he's been good, just an easy scapegoat for fans sadly https://t.co/Flea1d4LgJ
@CFCDaily The fanbase is being way too harsh on him. He was decent vs Malmo & Newcastle. Not at his very best, but a solid 7/10.
Ziyech can be more clinical: Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel
After Ziyech scored the only goal against Malmo, Tuchel expressed happiness for the star, but also offered some advice as well:
"A goal like this helps the most, so I’m happy for him and for Callum with the assist. It was decisive. We always rely on his work-rate and his intensity in counter-pressing, his awareness. There is space for him to improve in decision making and connections on the pitch to be more consistent."
"With the ball he can still be more clinical and grow more into our rhythm. The injury in his shoulder cost him a lot, even if he pushed hard to come back early. He is still not 100 per cent free, and especially the offensive players love freedom in turning."
The Chelsea boss also reflected on the overall result that sees Chelsea sit three points behind group leaders Juventus:
“It was a deserved win, a close one. There are a lot of reasons why you can stumble today, the pitch wasn’t in good condition, two away games and a lot of travelling, some injured players, but we don’t need to look for reasons because we got the job done.”