National and local media have criticised Hakim Ziyech for his performance in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat against Southampton.
The Moroccan was handed his first start of the season on the right wing, with him being selected over Christian Pulisic in the battle of the wantaway wingers.
The Blues were second best for much of the evening, and eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat at St. Mary’s.
While no players particularly impressed on the night, there were perhaps few who put in less inspiring displays than Ziyech, who looks set to miss out on his move to Ajax this summer.
The Evening Standard said about his performance: “Yet, in his first start of the season, the want away forward was a shadow of his former self and took a heavy knock from an Armstrong sliding tackle.”
Ziyech criticised by media
Meanwhile, inews said his display “did little to suggest Tuchel will continue to play him – or keep him.”
Football London were also critical, saying: “He grew quieter and quieter as the game went on.”
Chelsea are experiencing real problems at the top end of the pitch this season, and it has to be said look like they struggle for creativity without the presence of Reece James high up the pitch.
In terms of addressing this before the window shuts in the next couple of days, the interest in Anthony Gordon, who has scored in both of his last two games, has cooled off in recent days, with it being broadly accepted that he will remain an Everton player for this season.
There have been reports that the club are interested in a move for Wilfried Zaha, who himself has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign.
However, the lateness in the window that the rumours have picked up momentum make striking a deal very unlikely at this stage.