Jose Mourinho targets Chelsea flop for Roma transfer

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 24 Jan 2023 07:39 GMT
• 4 min read

Jose Mourinho is keen to bring Chelsea flop Hakim Ziyech to AS Roma this month as he looks to strengthen his side ahead of the Serie A run-in, according to reports.

Roma's chances of finishing in the Champions League spots have been massively boosted by news that Juventus have been deducted 15 Serie A points for alleged financial irregularities and false accounting, and Mourinho would like to make the most of that opportunity by adding the Moroccan to his squad.

Ziyech, 29, has struggled for consistent game time at Chelsea, and has amassed just four starts in the Premier League this season. With the January arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, it's expected that Ziyech will be pushed further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, despite the injuries to Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic.

READ: Antony, Gakpo, Madueke - how many Eredivisie signings were actually good?

The Blues will need a massive clear-out in the next two transfer windows, considering how many players have arrived through the door over the past six months, and Ziyech could be the first to leave the club. The Sun has reported that he would be keen on joining Roma if it meant an improvement in game time.

Roma are currently fourth in Serie A, with Tammy Abraham, Paulo Dybala and Nicolo Zaniolo most often playing as Mourinho's front three. However, Zaniolo has been heavily linked with an exit and could leave the club this month, freeing up space for Ziyech.

The 29-year-old was targeted by AC Milan last summer, but they were unable to get a deal over the line. Roma aren't alone, however, in their hopes of signing Ziyech, with Newcastle United said to be eyeing a possible move for the Chelsea man.

READ: Chelsea prepare second raid for Benfica's Enzo Fernandez

Furthermore, the player himself is reportedly open to a transfer to Barcelona to replacement Memphis Depay, who has joined Atletico Madrid following Joao Felix's six-month loan move to Chelsea.

Ziyech has 14 goals and 11 assists in 98 Chelsea appearances, with zero goals and just one assist in all competitions for the club this term.

What has Ziyech's international manager said?

While he's been a bit-part player since joining Chelsea from Ajax in 2020, Ziyech was a key member of the 2022 Morocco squad that became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Following the tournament, Walid Regragui, Morocco's national team manager, told Viola News: “[Selim] Amallah and [Azzedine] Ounahi will surely find better clubs and the same for Ziyech, who has shown what he can do, he deserves to be a starter in Chelsea.”