Report: Italian giants return to sign Chelsea winger after failing in the past

AC Milan closing in on signing Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech

According to Football Italia, as quoted by the Mail Online (via Football. London), Hakim Ziyech‘s lawyer Sebastian Ledure has held talks with Italian giants AC Milan over a move in the January transfer window after failing to see a deal over the line in the summer for the same player.

The Rossoneri have been interested in the player for quite some time now. Ziyech is a quality player who has never really been given a chance to succeed at Chelsea. It seems like a move away from Stamford Bridge is required to revive the Moroccan’s career.

The 29-year-old has played just five games across all competitions this season and is yet to score or assist even a single goal. He has played just 13% of the total minutes available to him and it does not seem like the situation is set to change.

Ziyech joined Chelsea from Ajax in 2020 and is spending his third season now as a Chelsea player. The Moroccan winger has failed to show the quality he showed during his time at Amsterdam and it has mainly been because of incessant injury issues.

He has also not been able to buy a consistent run under any of the Chelsea managers and it does not seem to be changing under Graham Potter. The English manager is still figuring out his best team though and it remains to be seen if he gives Ziyech a chance.

The Moroccan winger has a contract with the Blues until 2025 (transfermarkt). He is versatile and can play in many positions. He will be a great asset to Stefano Pioli’s side if they indeed manage to sign him in January and it is much needed for Ziyech.

It seems extremely unlikely that the situation would turn around rapidly between now and January. However, the Blues will be hoping that the Moroccan could have a good World Cup in Qatar which will increase his value and help Chelsea get good money out of this deal.

Ziyech at Stamford Bridge has not really worked out but to no extent is the Moroccan a bad player. He can still have a great career and is in the prime years of his career. He will want to be at a place where he can be trusted and get a regular run under a good manager.

More Chelsea News:

• Graham Potter explains why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wasn’t subbed on earlier against Brentford
• Graham Potter offers explanation on why Conor Gallagher was subbed prematurely against Brentford
• AC Milan chiefs meet representatives of Chelsea duo Armando Broja and Hakim Ziyech

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Ziyech. It looks like his story in a Blues shirt will be one of what it could have been and it’s rather unfortunate that we never got to witness the Moroccan magician in full flight.