Ian Wright expressed his pure joy at witnessing Hakim Ziyech’s return to form for Morocco at the World Cup.
Speaking on his own podcast, Wright purred over the performances of the Chelsea forward out in Qatar.
Ziyech has been revelling in a rare patch of happiness whilst representing his country on the global stage.
The 29-year-old has been at the forefront of his nation’s fantastic, if not unexpected, run to the semi-finals.
Morocco have yet to taste defeat in the competition, beating the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the final four.
Their defence has conceded just once in five fixtures, with the attackers also doing the business down the other end.
Hakim Ziyech at his happiest
Key to the Atlas Lions’ success has been their mercurial number seven.
Leading from the front, Ziyech has handled the responsibility of seniority in the squad brilliantly.
His work-rate and passion has mixed with the attacker’s quality and grace, a combination Chelsea fans have not been treated to since he joined the club in 2020.
He looks an entirely changed figure to the one that has regularly struggled in a blue jersey.
“I’m loving Ziyech, I’m loving him. I love the way he’s playing. He’s playing with a different energy when he’s playing for his country. I’m not being negative, but this man needs it when he’s playing for Morocco,” remarked Wright.
“Remember he had all those problems with the coach, he wouldn’t play, then the coach is gone, they got their guy in and look at where they are.”
Hakim Ziyech and his wonderful World Cup
Had Morocco not changed their manager before the World Cup, Ziyech may never have graced the competition at all.
He and Vahid Halilhodzic did not see eye-to-eye in the slightest, a fall-out that led to the Chelsea player to overlook his homeland all together.
Yet, Halilhodzic was removed from his post three months before the mission in Qatar, replaced by Walid Regragui.
Regragui instantly went about righting the wrongs of his predecessor by recalling Ziyech to the camp.
What a wise decision that’s turned out to be.
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