Hakim Ziyech speaks about about his favourite position at Chelsea

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Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech said he enjoys playing as an inside forward since the role gives him a lot of options and freedom.

In the last several years, the 27-year-old has mostly played as a right winger in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation for both Ajax and Chelsea.

Like most left-footed right wingers, Ziyech tends to cut inside on to his dominant foot before either shooting or looking to cross the ball to the far post.

With Reece James often making runs on the outside, Ziyech effectively occupied the half-spaces between fullbacks and centre-backs in Frank Lampard’s 4-3-3.

In Tuchel’s 3-4-3, however, Ziyech would play even more centrally with right wingback Callum Hudson-Odoi operating as a right winger.

Interestingly, the former Ajax ace said that is exactly where he likes to play.

“It is a position where I love to play,” the Morroco international told Chelsea’s official website about playing as an inside forward.

“Without the ball having your responsibility but with the ball being free and trying to find space and trying to play football. That is what I like the most.

“Get between the lines, find space, between the lines with the one or two touches.

“Especially in that position you have a lot of options because is the defender coming out, yes or no?

“If he is not coming you can turn around and find the striker or the left winger or the right winger in space. You have a lot of options.”

Chronicle view

As Ziyech pointed out, he would have more passing options when playing in this position.

It also has its drawbacks, however such as limited space to work with and more competitions.

As we’ve covered in why Tuchel’s 3-4-3 is bad news for Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, unlike in 4-3-3, Ziyech now will have to compete with the likes of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, and even Timo Werner for the spot.

Ziyech perhaps superior passing ability, but playing in these central areas and making runs into the box come naturally to Havertz, Mount, and Werner.

Tuchel certainly would not mind having such options.

But at the end of the day, there are only two slots behind the striker for five, six talented players who would want to start week in week out.