Hakim Ziyech has not been one of Thomas Tuchel’s favourites in the German coach’s first months at Chelsea, and today was actually his first Premier League start with Tuchel in charge.
On current form, we could be waiting a while for the second. Ziyech was part of a couple of nice passing moves in the first 5 minutes, but after that he faded badly.
There was a lack of intensity in his pressing, and a lack of conviction in his attacking play. You just can’t get away with 50% effort when you’re playing for Thomas Tuchel.
The only question that remains now is whether the former Ajax man even comes out to play the second half. “Has to be taken off here” was the sentiment from one fan on Twitter, and he had plenty of support.
You can see a selection of the reaction from social media in the Tweets embedded here:
https://twitter.com/Adebayoiyanu/status/1366075425512976389
Ziyech has been invisible for the most part and what he has done has been very poor again
— Chels (@dontgiveitmate) February 28, 2021
Ziyech should not play our second half at all
— Olamilekan johnson (@lezkid) February 28, 2021
Get Ziyech off. Complete passenger
— Tom (@CarefreeTom) February 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/CFC_Vivek/status/1366075440805212160
Wouldn’t surprise me if ziyech if hooked of at half time he’s been dead
— Rickhan (@RickhanOscar99) February 28, 2021
Ziyech is the one ghosting
— … (@Abdirahman20021) February 28, 2021
3 or 4 better attackers on the bench than ziyech. Has to be taken off here
— James Davoren (@jamesdavoren1) February 28, 2021
Ziyech off for Reece James at halftime for me
— Keir (@Kingkeir) February 28, 2021
jfc, Ziyech is just creating chance after chance for United.
— Dmitry (@ChicagoDmitry) February 28, 2021
Ziyech off at half-time, no excuses.
— TweetChelseaUK (@TweetChelseaUK) February 28, 2021
What's going on with Hakim Ziyech? Been so, so poor in majority of his recent games. Got too much quality to be this ineffective.
— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) February 28, 2021
Ziyech just needs to work on his passing, his strength, his awareness, his attitude, his fitness and his finishing…..he’ll be fine then,
— Kenneth (@NiceGuyKenny) February 28, 2021
I prefer not to speak on that first half from Ziyech. It’s sad to see.
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) February 28, 2021
Ziyech struggled for #CFC in the first half. Noticeable how confident Maguire increasingly became in carrying the ball out from the back on Ziyech’s side of the pitch. No pressure. #CHEMUN
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) February 28, 2021
Wouldn't be entirely surprised to see Ziyech hooked either at HT or shortly after as Tuchel is pretty unhappy with him
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) February 28, 2021
Had some doubts before this game, but really not sure Ziyech is built for the PL. Hoping he proves me wrong.
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 28, 2021