Graham Potter Breaks Silence On Hakim Ziyech Chelsea Future

Graham Potter has urged Moroccan World Cup star Hakim Ziyech to be patient in order to save his Chelsea career.

Under Thomas Tuchel’s successor, the former Ajax star has been reduced to a bit-part role and has yet to start a Premier League game since the change in management in September.

Indeed, Ziyech has only made three appearances since Potter took over, but he made up for it at the World Cup, where his performances helped the Atlas Lions become the first African team to reach the semi-finals.

In recent months, the 29-year-old has been linked with a move to Serie A champions AC Milan, with reports also claiming he wants to return to Ajax.

According to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport last month, as quoted by MilanNews, AC Milan directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara were debating whether to offer the Moroccan a six-month loan with a €15 million (£13 million) option to buy.

Potter, on the other hand, believes the unconventional winger has the talent to become a key part of his short and long-term plans, but he will have to wait his turn given the fierce competition for places.

‘He’s been a little bit away from the first XI, but he’s been involved in the games,’ he said.

Graham Potter responded in a press conference when asked if Hakim Ziyech would play a bigger role for Chelsea following a successful World Cup, “He played against Man City, he came on against Newcastle.”

He was a substitute player in the first game. We are aware of his strengths and admire him as a player. He excels at playing outside the lines and displayed these skills at the World Cup.

We may talk a lot, but you need to have patience because there will likely always be good players who aren’t in the starting XI.

I’m happy for him because we stayed in touch during the World Cup. I’m happy for him that he had the opportunity to play and supported his team.

He’s a true team player who possesses quality.

In contrast, Potter declined to comment on Edouard Mendy’s contract issue despite reports that the Senegal international was dissatisfied with a contract offer that he reportedly called “disrespectful.”

Potter stated, “It is not my job to discuss publicly about a player’s contract issue.”

That is up to them and the club, ” it says.

Chelsea, who are presently joint eighth in the league with Potter’s former team Brighton, will be seeking to improve following a shaky start to the season.