Possible return to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea flop Hakim Ziyech to Galatasaray once loan agreement expires

Ziyech finally left Stamford Bridge last summer after failing to secure transfers to PSG or the Saudi Pro League. He had fallen out of favor with Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel, the previous Blues managers.

The оffensive midfielder/winger’s loan to Turkey has not been successful, despite Mauricio Pochettino’s approval of his departure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 30-year-old has appeared in 14 games, scoring four goals and assisting on six more. Half of his goal-scoring efforts came in the 3-3 Champions League draw with Manchester United.

Nevertheless, the club is naturally not pleased that his impact and game time have been hindered by persistent ailments and fitness difficulties.

According to the Daily Mail citing Turkish news site NTV Spor, Galatasaray is prepared to terminate his loan and return him to west London.

But there are two major roadblocks that might make this impossible, so take it with a grain of salt.

Ziyech, first and foremost, will miss the entirety of the January transfer window due to his call-up to the Morocco national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.

To help the Atlas Lions win their first AFCON since 1976, he will be partnering with players like Sofyan Amrabat of Manchester United and Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain.

Secondly, Ziyech’s loan arrangement is being misunderstood. According to Chelsea, Galatasaray are obligated to purchаse him from them at the end of the season for a cost estimated at approximately £2.5 million.

Alternatively, it has been reported that it is merely a purchаse option, or possibly an obligation subject to specific circumstances being satisfied.

In the first case, Ziyech’s return is quite unlikely; but, in the latter, the player’s recent public criticism of club owner Todd Boehly makes for an uncomfortable reunion.

After joining Chelsea from Ajax for £34 million in 2020, Ziyech played 107 games, scoring 14 goals and assisting on 13 more. During his time with the club, they won the Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Suρer Cup, and they advanced to the finals of both the FA Cup and the League Cup.