Pat Nevin believes that Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech has been a significant miss for the team during his injury absence and claims his return will give everyone a big lift.
The £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) right-winger has missed the last five Premier League matches with a hamstring problem, with the Blues picking up just four points during that time to slip down the table.
Manager Frank Lampard has confirmed (Football.London) that the 27-year-old is “close” to a return to fitness and suggested he could be in contention this weekend against Manchester City.
Ziyech has only played 12 games since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer window from Ajax, but already looks such an influential player on the Chelsea side.
The left-footed wide player is a chief creator when cutting inside from the right, as he’s got the vision, flair and execution to make him a nightmare in the final third.
Nevin has suggested that the Moroccan’s imminent return can help a Chelsea team struggling for form.
“I have talked on this page about the importance of creativity in the final third, which leads directly to the missing influence of Hakim Ziyech,” Nevin told the club’s official website.
“I definitely saw a few chinks of light coming through in the game against Villa. The return of a bit more confidence and a certain Mr Ziyech and those chinks could soon become beams of light.”
With Ziyech on the sidelines in recent weeks, it’s clear that Chelsea are missing an extra creative spark in their side and the wide player was signed to be the man to help unlock defences with his final killer pass.
His stop-start season so far has certainly impacted Chelsea in a negative way and supporters are desperate to see him up to full speed.
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