A former Stamford Bridge favourite doesn’t think the Moroccan winger’s talents are being utilized correctly at his old club
Thomas Tuchel is playing Hakim Ziyech out of position, according
to Frank Leboeuf, who says the Chelsea star is a “copy-cat” of Manchester
City’s Riyad Mahrez.
Ziyech was handed only his 14th Premier League start for Chelsea
as they picked up a 2-0 west London derby victory over Fulham at Stamford
Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues were good value for their victory, but Ziyech was
largely ineffective in a No.10 role and made way for N’Golo Kante just after
the hour mark, leaving Leboeuf concerned that his talents are not being
properly utilised.
The former Chelsea star doesn’t
understand why Tuchel is deploying Ziyech through the middle, with it his
belief that the Moroccan should be hugging the right touchline in the same way
Mahrez does at Man City.
“I’m concerned about Hakim Ziyech,” Leboeuf told ESPN. “If
he plays, why doesn’t he [Tuchel] put him on the right?
“I saw him today very frustrated when he came off after
playing like a number 10. I don’t think that’s his real position.
“Tuchel really has to think that Ziyech has to play on the
right side. It’s like [Riyad] Mahrez, he’s a copy-cat of Mahrez.
“I don’t see [Pep] Guardiola putting Mahrez in another
position than on the right side.”
Ziyech’s record at Chelsea
Chelsea forked out an initial fee of £33 million ($46m) to bring
Ziyech to the Bridge from Ajax last summer, but he has so far struggled to live
up to that hefty price tag.
The 28-year-old has only contributed five goals and four assists
to the Blues cause across 34 outings, and has yet to nail down a regular spot
in Tuchel’s starting XI.
Ziyech was handed a five-year contract upon his arrival at
Chelsea, who are likely to be patient with the winger as he continues to adjust
to life in England.
However, Tuchel is well known for rotating his line-up on a weekly
basis, meaning the former Ajax talisman may have to get used to playing in an
unnatural position.
Ziyech is already battling with Callum Hudson-Odoi for a
starting berth on the right and competition for places will likely increase in
the summer as Tuchel prepares for his first transfer window as Chelsea manager.
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