Graham Potter’s Chelsea can’t seem to catch a break. Injuries are piling on with Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling being the latest players to join the long list of sidelined players. With Sterling and Pulisic both picking up injuries, it paves way for Hakim Ziyech to make the most of this opportunity.
Potter’s Chelsea sits 10th with 25 points in 17 games. They are much better than that and a big reason for their drop off in the last couple of months is injuries to their key personnel. Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are on the sidelines.
Chelsea took on champions Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. After just five minutes, Sterling had to be taken off as he pulled up his hamstring and was unable to continue. When the Englishman was walking down the tunnel in pain and frustration, he shook his head when asked about how he was feeling.
Just 17 minutes later, Pulisic hurt his right knee as City defender John Stones made a last ditch tackle. Pulisic needed treatment and ultimately was taken off. Potter was unable to provide any sort of timeframe for either of the injuries post game. Dark clouds of injury are surrounding the Chelsea camp and there seems to be no escape.
Hakim Ziyech should get more game time for Chelsea
Sterling had been one of the most influential players this season, especially after the world cup break. He carried his jazz and explosiveness to the Chelsea camp as he marauded down the right flank. There is no timeline over his return but the injuries to Pulisic and Sterling does open a door of opportunity for Ziyech.
Ziyech hasn’t been an integral part of Chelsea’s plans and has remained a mere option off the bench. The Moroccan had a strong world cup and was one of the guiding lights of Morocco’s magical campaign.
Ziyech did start the game against Man City and appeared to be Chelsea’s main creative outlet in the opening 45 minutes. However, the 29 year old wasn’t able to conjure up the final pass in the final third.
Prior to the City game, Ziyech played just six Premier League games and started just once. Neither Thomas Tuchel nor Potter have included Ziyech in their immediate plans but things could change given the injury crisis at bay.
If the Moroccan can replicate his world cup showings for Chelsea, Potter may be forced to rethink his preferences. A lot will depend on how long Sterling and Pulisic are sidelined but opportunities seem to be just around the corner for Hakim Ziyech.