Tuchel deals Barcelona blow over Ziyech hopes
Robin Bairner
- 20 Nov 2021 04:00 CST
- 5 min read
Barcelona’s aspirations of signing Hakim Ziyech during the January transfer window have stuck a hitch with Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel rubbishing the prospect of the attacker departing.
The 28-year-old has started only two Premier League matches this season, during which he has yet to record a goal or an assist.
Ziyech did find the net in the Champions League victory over Malmo at the beginning of November, but his limited involvement had led to speculation he could be a January loan target for Barcelona.
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Tuchel says Ziyech has Chelsea future
Tuchel, though, insists that the Morocco international star remains an important member of his plans.
“I said many times he was brilliant in pre-season. He had an injury which was a huge setback. He played after the shoulder injury with pain and with huge protection which kept him from being totally free, which is necessary for his game and movements and position and style of play,” the German told the media.
“Now he's stepped up in the last games. We had some injuries and he took the chance to have more game time like Callum [Hudson-Odoi] did. He was decisive. He assisted, he scored, it's good.
“At the moment here in Cobham there are no thoughts about his future. There are no thoughts about a potential change, swap deal or whatever in winter. I have talked to nobody about that here in Cobham, so that's made up from media.
He is an important guy, a very talented guy, a very ambitious guy, and he's a full part of our squad
- Thomas Tuchel“Hakim was not in my office expressing a wish like this so right now, he is a full member of the squad. He is an important guy, a very talented guy, a very ambitious guy, and he's a full part of our squad. He was last season, he is this season and we expect the very best of him all the time.
“But it's tough competition. I cannot let everybody play all the time 90 minutes. It's simply impossible.”
Chelsea are about to embark on their busiest period of the season, with 13 matches in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup to be played before Sunday, 2 January – a run in which Ziyech will surely be given ample opportunity to impress once again.
