Why Ziyech has flopped for Chelsea but starred at World Cup

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 2 min read

Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech is enjoying an excellent World Cup for Morocco, who have made it to the quarter-final stage.

Ziyech has struggled at Chelsea ever since the move from Ajax, but has found himself out of the team more than ever under Graham Potter.

But that hasn't stopped the winger from finding form with his national team, who have taken everyone by surprise.

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Former Chelsea star Joe Cole details the reasons why Ziyech's fortunes have been different on the international stage.

''He just looks like a happier player for Morocco,'' Cole told Football.London. ''He’s had a very difficult time at Chelsea and he hasn’t had a rhythm to his game.

“The Premier League doesn’t suit him. It’s aggressive, up and down.

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''Playing for Ajax he could hug the touchline and the team would very much play through the lines, give him the ball and he’s got a lovely left-foot, comes inside and delivers the ball.

''But when we’ve watched him here, he’s playing with an intensity and a smile on his face. Ziyech is a talented boy but it’s just not worked for him at Chelsea.''

Ziyech's talent is obvious, but he has never looked like a Chelsea-level player since his big-money move over two years ago.

Ziyech at Ajax

The 29-year-old had been a revelation during Ajax’s famous run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Playing a key role under Erik ten Hag, the Dutch side put champions Real Madrid and Italian giants Juventus to the sword.

But like his ex-Ajax teammates Frenkie De Jong and Mathijs De Ligt, Ziyech has stagnated since leaving Holland.

He has scored only six Premier League goals in two and a half seasons, adding six assists.

For such a big team like Chelsea, that is clearly not enough output given his €40 million transfer fee.

This season he has fallen well down the pecking order under new manager Graham Potter, starting just two games in all competitions.