Ziyech returns to Morocco amid Chelsea criticism
You can't have everything. Just ask Hakim Ziyech, the Chelsea player who has returned to Morocco following the departure of Vahid Halilhodzic for the two upcoming friendlies against Chile and Paraguay.
The Chelsea striker was close to a move to Ajax last summer, but the London club preferred to keep the player in 'blue' at least until next December in case the World Cup in Qatar revalued his price.
Thomas Tuchel was sacked after Chelsea's poor start to the season and has been replaced by Graham Potter, who has not given Ziyech much more playing time than his predecessor.
The whistles to Ziyech and Pulisic came after the English team's match at Stamford Bridge against Salzburg where the 1-1 draw did not convince the stands and leaves the club in a very complicated situation with 1 point in two games in a competition that generates significant revenue for the London club.
The Moroccan barely played 10 minutes, but his entry into the field was not decisive for Potter's team, who tried until the end without aiming.
While Ziyech is going through turbulent times at Chelsea, the call from coach Regragui serves to redeem himself for his past with Morocco and return home.
Ziyech had not worn the Atlas Lions jersey since 12 June 2021 in a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso with Halilhodzic still in charge.
Fans are expecting a lot from this revamped Moroccan team in view of the big names who are destined for glory in Qatar.
Barcelona, at the Espanyol stadium, and Seville, at the Villamarin, will be the places where Ziyech will be reunited with his team-mates and the Moroccan community living in these Spanish enclaves.
The last window before the World Cup and Walid Regragui's final call-up. Two friendlies against Chile and Paraguay to put the finishing touches to Morocco and check the physical condition of all the players.
Ziyech is the big signing, but until Morocco's debut against Croatia on 23 November at the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar, he will have to play 13 more games for Chelsea, including the rest of the Champions League group stage matches against Milan, Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb.
On his performance in those matches will depend his form to face the World Cup with Morocco, but also to know what the club wants to do with him on his return. The Premier League returns on 26 December and Chelsea take on Bournemouth.
For now, the fans are celebrating on social media the return of Hakim Ziyech with Morocco with a phrase that is repeated over and over again, 'No Ziyech, no party'.