Omitted from the squad
Falling out with his country; Morocco, and fell in with Tomas Tuchel side, becoming a pivotal member of the side. It raised a big eyebrow when Hakim Ziyech was omitted from the squad that represented Morocco in the concluded Afcon held in Cameroon of which saw Senegal claim their first biggest prize in Africa. Signed by former Blues legend, Frank Lampard, who is now managing the Toffees on the course of avoiding relegation, which seems like a big task, with the way they are playing now, it could be big achievement to retain them in the premier league. And the question was, what went wrong with the former Ajax winger and with the Morocco national team?
The fall out
Made his international debut for Morocco in May 2015, having represented Netherlands in youth level, against United Stated and subsequently Latvia. In September 2021, he was omitted from national team squad over alleged poor attitude towards the Moroccan side. At the height of the situation the national team coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, felt that the national team was undermined by Ziyech and his ego as a coach was violated, he said “for the first time in my coaching career, I saw a national team player who doesn’t want to train and claims to be injured, although tests have shown he can play. I won’t tolerate it”.
The biggest football prize in Africa
Announced retirement
There is no surprise when the Chelsea winger, Hakim Ziyech announced retirement from international duty, having already falling out with, national team coach. He made it public on 8 February 2022, for many people it was too early for the retirement, over what could be fight for ego, if there is any such special treatment from any player, others might feel less important, it was drastic measures from both sides. From there, Ziyech might never fix this mess, and Moroccans fans will always point fingers at me.
The talented trailblazer
Bouncing back from international hullabaloo, it is not an exaggeration if one says that, Ziyech has been carrying Chelsea on his shoulder and determined to make replica of the form at Ajax that attracted Chelsea to the winger. Once he gets into the box and cut in, he aims straight to the far corner, and he has produced such magnificent style for Chelsea on countless occasions, he has reached a point in his career where he could be everything he wants to be, Tomas Tuchel seems to have so much believe in him, and have restored his confidence which was missing at his early stages at Chelsea.
