Hakim Ziyech might surprisingly make a return to Chelsea in January as Galatasaray considers cutting short his loan spell.
Ziyech departed Stamford Bridge last summer after unsuccessful stints with PSG and the Saudi Pro League, reportedly falling out of favor with former Blues managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Despite manager Mauricio Pochettino’s approval of the attacking midfielder/winger’s move to Turkey, his time there hasn’t unfolded as expected.
In 14 games, the 30-year-old managed six assists and four goals, with half of the goals coming against Manchester United in a 3-3 Champions League draw. However, persistent injuries and fitness issues have limited his playing time and impact, which hasn’t pleased the club.
Galatasaray is reportedly considering terminating his loan and sending him back to Chelsea, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV Spor as cited in the Daily Mail. But there are obstacles to this potential return.
Firstly, Ziyech is part of the Morocco squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, keeping him away for the entire January transfer window.
Secondly, there’s ambiguity surrounding the terms of his loan agreement. While Chelsea apparently requires Galatasaray to purchase Ziyech at the end of the season for around £2.5 million, conflicting reports suggest it might be an option or conditional under specific circumstances.
If it’s an obligation, Ziyech’s return seems unlikely. However, if he does come back, it would be a peculiar reunion given his recent criticism of club owner Todd Boehly.
After joining Chelsea for £34 million in 2020 from Ajax, where he had a successful run scoring 14 goals and providing 13 assists in 107 appearances, Ziyech played a role in Chelsea’s triumphs in the UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup, Champions League, and two FA Cups, along with one League Cup final.
