How Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech deal could be affected by FIFA’s decision to extend season

Hakim Ziyech transfer to Chelsea is set to be delayed

FIFA announced on Monday that they are set to extend the 2019-20 season indefinitely. This will give national associations the time to wrap up their respective leagues once it is safe to do so. (h/t Daily Mail)

This will now see us having to wait a little longer to watch our new ace in action at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Evening Standard, the FIFA’s take on transfer and loan deals means that Ziyech is set to stay at Ajax until the current Eredivisie season is completed.

Hakim Ziyech could join Chelsea at a later date
Hakim Ziyech can join Chelsea only once the Eredivisie is completed

The 26-year-old agreed to join the Blues in a £37.8million deal in February. He signed a five-year contract, with the move originally scheduled to go through at the end of the season.

With the season currently in limbo, the domestic campaigns are extremely likely to get extended, making us wait a little longer to witness the skillful Moroccan in action.

Ziyech was signed for the upcoming season and his delay in arrival will not affect us for the remainder of this season nor for the next. If anything, the effect will be minimal.

With the national associations in charge of ensuring their respective leagues are completed, Ziyech could arrive at Stamford Bridge on the agreed date if the Eredivisie gets completed before then. (h/t Evening Standard)

Ziyech has been a star at Ajax
Ziyech has been a star at the Ajax Arena

Ziyech has also played at the Bridge this season when he appeared for Ajax in our Champions League group stage fixture. He made three assists in the pulsating 4-4 draw. (h/t Transfermarkt)

In spite of the inconvenience, FIFA’s move to ensure the completion of the season is welcome. The guidelines are made with the intention to help clubs and leagues avoid the legal problems posed by the shutdown.

It was also revealed recently that the Blues stand to lose £91million in revenue if the season goes incomplete. All the more reason for us to be happy with the FIFA judgment.

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The judgment also works in our favour regarding those players who are out of contract in the summer.

Oliver Giroud, Willian, Pedro and Willy Caballero are all free agents in the summer. The FIFA ruling will ensure they can stay at the club till the season ends.