Hakim Ziyech showed his best side on Saturday during an exhibition game between Chelsea and Peterborough United. The attacking midfielder came in the second half and took a hat-trick. Thomas Tuchel’s team eventually triumphed with large numbers during the first showdown of the preparation: 6-1. The game was played behind closed doors at Chelsea’s training complex.
Tuchel started the duel with the Championship team with Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Davide Zappacosta, among others. It was the visitors from Peterborough who took the lead from the penalty spot via Siriki Dembélé. The joy was short-lived, however, as Abraham quickly tied the score. Christian Pulisic turned the score around before half time. The attacker decorated a penalty kick and took responsibility himself: 2-1.
Back to it on a sunny Saturday at Cobham! ??
A hat-trick for Hakim Ziyech in a 6-1 win over @theposhofficial today! ?? pic.twitter.com/Gid04syXOl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 17, 2021
At the start of the second half, Tuchel brought in a completely new team, including Ziyech. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher and Baba Rahman also received playing minutes from the German coach. However, Ziyech impressed them the most, with his first goal from the bottom of the bar in particular being of great beauty after good preparatory work by Rahman. When Ziyech then took two more hits, Broja took care of the final chord. In the coming weeks, Chelsea will practice against Bournemouth, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, among others.
Rumors have been circulating in London for a long time that there is no place in Tuchel’s team for Ziyech next season. In order to complete the transfer of Erling Haaland, several players are nominated to leave. The most striking name is that of Ziyech, who came over from Ajax for at least forty million euros last year. The attacking midfielder has failed to impress in London and is reportedly in the interest of AC Milan. Abraham, Hudson-Odoi and Kurt Zouma can also bring in the necessary money at Chelsea this summer.