Chelsea
Premier League • England
Chelsea transfer news: Flop finds next club and tells them directly he wants to join as January idea takes shape
Chelsea may have moved a step closer to offloading someone who hasn’t met expectations for them after the player in question approached his potential next takers, according to a report.
Chelsea have had a mixed record with their purchases in recent transfer windows. Not afraid to spend big, some of the signings they have made have improved their squad, whereas others have fallen short of expectations.
In turn, they have been having to find solutions for those that have let them down. For example, in the summer, they let Romelu Lukaku return to Inter Milan and Timo Werner to RB Leipzig.
Both strikers failed to prove themselves at Stamford Bridge despite arriving with good reputations. Indeed, Lukaku joined in 2021 partially because of Werner’s failure to make an impact after his own 2020 transfer.
Another player who joined the Blues in the same year as Werner was Hakim Ziyech. The former Ajax playmaker has shown glimpses of his quality, but not nearly as frequently as he did when he was playing in the Eredivisie.
Therefore, Ziyech was already being linked with a departure from west London over the summer. Ultimately, nothing materialised and he entered a third season as a Chelsea player.
However, one of the clubs who were interested in him earlier this year could soon have another chance of taking him away from the Premier League.
Despite recent claims that he could move across London to join Tottenham Hotspur, it has been reported by Calciomercato that Ziyech is now trying to orchestrate a transfer to AC Milan.
According to the Italian source, the attacking midfielder has instructed his entourage of what he wants. In turn, they have communicated his desire to AC Milan decision makers Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara.
Ziyech more sure of Milan than vice versa but move might make sense
Now, the Serie A champions are mulling over what to do. If they were to take him in January, it would be on loan with an option to buy. It remains to be seen if Chelsea would be willing to entertain this formula for a player under contract until 2025.
Even from AC Milan’s perspective, the move isn’t necessarily a guarantee. It will be up to head coach Stefano Pioli to decide if any new recruit the Rossoneri bring in during the winter would match up with his tactics.
Yet in theory, there could be a vacancy for them to fill in the attacking midfield role. There, summer signing Charles De Ketelaere is yet to really get going.
While they wait for him to blossom, they might want to look at a more senior option who could give them new impetus. After all, in addition to their title defence, they will be in the Champions League knockout stages in the New Year.
Hence, it will be important for them to have strength in depth, which may make Ziyech appealing to them. And his interest in the move has already been established, so the ball is in their court.
Chelsea originally spent £36million to sign Ziyech and will probably make a loss when the time comes to sell him. The 29-year-old has scored just 14 goals from 90 appearances for the club so far.