After experiencing hell at Chelsea over the last two seasons, Hakim Ziyech seems to be enjoying the pleasure of playing at Galatasaray again. The Moroccan regains confidence and rhythm…
This is what we call being reborn from the ashes. This Wednesday, in the Champions League, Hakim Ziyech greatly contributed to his team's very good result against Manchester United (3-3). Author of a double, both goals from free kicks, he also became a decisive passer for the equalizing goal signed Kerem Aktürkoğlu. As a result, it is quite logical that the Moroccan was elected man of the match after the match. "I am happy. I am proud to have been voted “player of the match” in such a match. I love playing in these kinds of matches against great teams. I think I play better in matches like this ,” he confided after the match.
It must be said that the Moroccan international has been waiting for this moment for a very long time. Because in recent seasons, HZ22 has spent more time on the bench than on the pitch. Since his transfer to Chelsea, he has been through hell with ridiculous playing time over the last year. He had only played 928 minutes over the entire season for 3 assists and 0 goals. His successful World Cup had not changed his club status while his transfer to PSG, although completed, had finally collapsed at the last second of the winter transfer window. A tough season for him to endure, as he confided to Voetbal International this Friday.
Hell in Chelsea
“At Chelsea we had three teams there with the best players. At some point, patience runs out. Like last year, after my return from the World Cup with Morocco, where we played at the top. But when I came back, I didn't play and they kept telling me: you have to be patient. But my patience has limits at a given moment ,” he explained. But Chelsea now seem to be a long way away. Because Hakim Ziyech continues the matches with Galatasaray after an eventful start to the season. It must be said that the summer of the former Ajax Amsterdam player was very hectic since his transfer to Al-Nassr ended up falling apart, once again, at the last minute.
Before that, Hakim Ziyech could also have bounced back in his former club Ajax Amsterdam who wanted to get him back. But Chelsea preferred at that time to get rid of their player permanently and demanded a transfer. Problem, the Amsterdam club could only offer a loan. “Ajax tried to take me back last season, but then they came back on loan. Then everything stopped. I would have liked to help Ajax, I would really have loved to come back. But they only wanted a loan and not a transfer. At that time, for me, this transfer was not possible…” No matter, since his transfer to Galatasaray, Hakim Ziyech is having a blast and regaining sensations.
The renaissance in Türkiye
Arriving injured at his new club and above all without any preparation for months, he took time to get into the rhythm. In selection with Morocco, his coach Walid Regragui had even decided not to call him up to let him establish himself in the club. A choice that paid off since the Moroccan international, recalled during the November break, distinguished himself with a sublime goal against Tanzania. The result of a remarkable return to the SüperLig. At club level, he is also starting to settle into the starting eleven despite the competition and has therefore scored 3 goals and delivered 2 assists in 10 matches.
Better in the game which can be explained by personal well-being. “I have found my joy again, I can be myself here and I feel like I'm thriving again, like before. I feel like I'm developing. I have fun playing football for Galatasaray. I started enjoying football again. I have the impression of being the old Ziyech again at Galatasaray ,” he detailed for Voetbal International . Magical when he played in the famous Ajax Amsterdam team, Hakim Ziyech had experienced a long drought in recent months. But his football has never disappeared to the delight of Turkish supporters who savor the magic of the man nicknamed “The Wizard”…