Chelsea departure almost certain as AC Milan prepare to ‘renew’ their push for fringe man

Chelsea could see the back of Hakim Ziyech on loan in January, as AC Milan are preparing to ‘renew’ their push for the struggling winger.

Ziyech’s Chelsea career has probably not followed the path either he or the club envisioned it would. After sensational couple of years prior to his move at Ajax, in which he was directly involved in 74 goals, he joined with promise.

However, now a good while into his third season at Stamford Bridge, the Moroccan has contributed to just 24 goals.

His struggles for form have not helped him make it onto the pitch much. His most league appearances in a season have been equal across both campaigns he has competed with Chelsea – 23.

However, the most he has started in either of those seasons was 15 games, in his initial campaign with the Blues.

This season, he has had very little impact in any competition. Ziyech has made five league appearances, with only one of those coming from the start.

In other competitions, he has played a combined total of just 122 minutes; he is yet to be involved in a goal in any competition.

Chelsea were seemingly willing to let the winger go over the summer. Indeed, it seems they had seen enough in the time he had been at the club, and decided his time was up.

Ziyech almost certain to move on

It was AC Milan that were the main suitors for Ziyech in the summer. However, Chelsea wanted to put an obligation for them to buy the attacker into the deal.

As such, talks broke down, and he remained a Blues player. Milan have remained keen on him since that point and links regarding a transfer have continued.

It seems they may now be prepared to offer him a way out of the club.

90min reports that they are prepared to ‘renew their push’ for the Morocco international. What’s more, sources have apparently confirmed that a loan move to the club is ‘inching closer’.

That suggests Chelsea are now more willing to let him go on a dry loan. Given he has hardly been used this season, they might as well get him out of the club by any means necessary.

Should he impress at Milan following a loan spell, they may be more willing to pay for Ziyech down the line.

Ziyech an apt replacement

With the future of Charles De Ketelaere up in the air, Ziyech could be an apt addition to the forward line. Indeed, the Belgian has not exactly covered himself in glory since his move to the San Siro.

He is yet to score, and has provided just one assist from 18 games since Milan dropped around £27.5million on him.

While it seems they have faith in him and he will not be moved on, some quality being added to the attack would not go amiss.

Ziyech is clearly a player that possesses quality, it has just not been on show of late. A change of system, and some more opportunities could see him back to his best.

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