Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

‘It doesn’t change anything’; Chelsea ace warns Real Madrid and reveals motivation for glory

Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku Middlesbrough v Chelsea March 2022

Hakim Ziyech admits he is now in a good place with Chelsea and warned Real Madrid that the Blues are more determined than ever to win the Champions League.

The 29-year-old is currently in his second season at Stamford Bridge after moving from Ajax in 2020. A few eyebrows were raised when the west Londoners paid in the region of €40m for the Morocco international. He made 15 starts among 23 top-flight appearances during his first campaign at the club.

A series of niggling injuries hampered his progress. And it has been a similar story this term, with an ankle injury keeping him sidelined for a couple of weeks towards the end of February.

However, the former FC Twente ace returned to score a superb goal as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the FA Cup. And the Netherlands-born forward remains upbeat about the rest of the season.

“I’m good, I’m getting better every week again. Just came back from injury of course, but it goes well. Everything is fine,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s crazy, every time you’re doing well you get an injury and you have to start over again. Right now I think I’m in a good period and I’ll try to do that again.

“With injuries it always comes at a bad moment and the games are coming quickly behind each other and there’s also not a lot to work harder on.

“Like I said before, I’m on the right track and I’m going to do what I left before.”

Real Madrid want to steal Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea to replace Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid want to steal Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea to replace Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid are targeting Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to replace Carlo Ancelotti this summer

Ziyech eager for Chelsea silverware

Ziyech joined a side among the best in Europe when he arrived at the Bridge. They have claimed the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup since his arrival.

The Premier League is beyond them in 2021-2022, with Manchester City and Liverpool embroiled in their own personal battle. But they are very much still alive in the FA Cup and face a semi-final against Crystal Palace on April 17.

Thomas Tuchel’s men are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They face 13-time champions Real in the last-eight.

The tie will be played against the backdrop of continuing sanctions against Roman Abramovich. But, far from wallow in pity at the situation, Ziyech feels it could well work in their favour.

“I think that is something where everything that is against us it gives us a feeling to never give up and keep going and keep going and believe it, and we achieve it and deserve it as well,” he continued.

Thomas Tuchel Chelsea March 2022

“To be honest our group has always been close. This thing is out of our hands and there’s nothing we can do about it.

“We only focus on the things we can do and that is winning our games and performing well. That’s our main focus and all of the other stuff we can discuss about it but it doesn’t change anything.”

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