Hakim Ziyech has finally been given what he needed to fulfil his biggest Chelsea promise

 

Hakim Ziyech knew his first six months as a Chelsea player hadn't gone as planned. There were two injuries and a loss of form, but the Moroccan never lacked confidence or self-belief. So in an interview with Dutch television channel Ziggo Sport in February, he made a promise.

“You’ve not seen the real Ziyech yet," the 28-year-old said. "But don’t worry, he’s on his way." Unfortunately for the man nicknamed 'The Wizard' during his time at Ajax, those words didn't come to pass. At least not as quickly as Chelsea supporters will have expected.

However, as anyone who has watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy will recall courtesy of Gandalf the Grey: "A Wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."

And that brings us to Chelsea's pre-season. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Ziyech was back at Cobham on day one of the Blues' preparations for the 2021/22 campaign. There can be no doubt he has benefitted hugely from that.