Why Ziyech to Man Utd makes perfect sense
Cameron Smith
- 4 Aug 2022 20:34 BST
- 4 min read
Hakim Ziyech's time at Chelsea has been an odd one. At times he's shown his mercurial technical ability with outstanding individual displays, but he's shown inconsistencies that were hidden in the Eredivisie.
One of the most gifted players at Chelsea on his day, Ziyech's day hasn't been something regularly seen at Stamford Bridge.
There's no denying his talent, but the Moroccan hasn't been able to apply himself as many expected in the Premier League. As a result, he could leave the club this summer.
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Part of a forward line bemoaned for its lack of cutting edge by critics, Ziyech has provided glimpses of promise, but never enough to sustain his place in the starting XI.
In fact, Ziyech has started more than two consecutive Premier League games on just one occasion last season - four on the bounce in January and February. In that time he scored three goals in three successive matches, but only found the back of the net one other time in the league season.
From a goal contribution every 85 minutes in his final Eredivise campaign at Ajax, Ziyech managed one every 188 minutes last season at Chelsea. The player hasn't changed, but his fortunes have.
Could Chelsea sell Ziyech?
Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Ziyech this summer if they receive an offer for him, with AC Milan previously leading the race.
The reigning Scudetto champions have been linked with a move throughout the transfer window, but are yet to make a concrete offer, and have signed Charles De Ketelaere from Club Brugge to bolster their forward line.
With the likes of Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Mason Mount also playing in the role Ziyech operates in, it wouldn't come as a surprise if he is sold this upcoming transfer window. Furthermore, the summer addition of Raheem Sterling has seen Ziyech fall further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
With just 14 Premier League starts last season, Ziyech is far from a regular, and the move from Ajax to Chelsea isn't one that has particularly worked out.
A list of suitors for Ziyech doesn't seem too long, so Man Utd have a great chance should they decide to bid for the player, and according to Manchester Evening News, Ziyech is seen as a priority for Erik ten Hag this summer.
Dutchman played a pivotal role in getting the most out of Ziyech's quality on the ball.
He played deep on the right, with an overlapping right-back, with space and time on the ball to pick out forward runners. At Chelsea, in a more high-octane style, he's not been able to replicate that form.
Against deep blocks, Ziyech has sometimes been able to pick the lock, but he's often struggled to differentiate between a great opportunity to find a forward runner, and a speculative long-range pass, handing possession back to the opposition in the process.
Ten Hag may be able to iron out these flaws, while Ziyech would finally provide Man Utd with an out-and-out right winger. Jadon Sancho was signed as that player last summer, but he has proven to be more effective on the opposite flank so far at Old Trafford.
However, the Englishman has been deployed on the right in pre-season, but adding depth in wide areas is crucial given the fact Marcus Rashford may be forced to play through the middle at times due to Cristiano Ronaldo's desire to leave.
While an argument could be made that Chelsea won't sell to a direct rival in the same league, they did that exact same thing with Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic, with both ending up at Old Trafford.
They both enjoyed more successful spells at Chelsea, but the opposite could happen were Ziyech to join the Red Devils.
A natural left-footer in a squad of very few, Ziyech could be a wildcard in Man Utd's side, something they haven't had since Marcus Rashford's downturn in form.
It's a transfer that may well never happen, but it's a move that could suit all parties involved.
