We’ve seen serious links with moves away from Chelsea for both Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech in recent days.
Both are out of the first team picture at Stamford Bridge, and both have spent more than a year without being considered a regular. So the time is ripe for each to leave – especially as they’re both impressing for their countries at the World Cup.
But with teams seemingly interested in both – either on loan or permanently – Chelsea will have to consider very seriously whether they can afford to lose the pair.
Between the two of them they’re still playing significant minutes, and it seems likely that a sale of both would only allowed if at least one new winger is coming in.
We’ve been linked with no shortage of those. But as it stands, it may be that only one is allowed to go until the club have found a replacement.
“Between the two of them they’re still playing significant minutes.” Significant? Really?
Pulisic has gotten even fewer minutes than last year and Ziyech has scarcely seen any. One of the problems Potter has created in using these two so sparingly is that there is no “shop window” for clubs to see them. Consequently, even if suitors do come calling, they are unlikely to agree with Chelsea’s valuation. The WC provides a unique opportunity to “spike” each players valuation (provided they show well), but if the club aren’t willing to sell in January and then relegate them to the bench all spring then they will suppress the fees they may eventually receive. Bottom line: You can’t have it both ways! If you don’t see them in your future then sell now and get what you can. But if you hope to command a premium, then send the market the message that you believe they are premium players and put them on the field!