The ankle injury that Hakim Ziyech sustained during the game between Chelsea and Lille OSC (2-0) worries Thomas Tuchel and the English newspapers. The attacking midfielder annex winger had to be replaced by Saúl Ñíguez after an hour of play during the first leg of the eighth final of the Champions League. The question is whether Ziyech will be fit in time for the final of the EFL Cup against Liverpool, which is scheduled for next Sunday.
“I do not know. I had kova (Mateo Kovacic, who had to be substituted shortly after the break due to an injury, ed.) We had to switch before the break, so that we could have saved a switch,” says Tuchel in conversation with BT Sport about the injuries. Kovavic already had complaints in the first half. “I have not yet spoken to the club doctor about Hakim, I hope it is not that bad.”
“This is the story of the season: we have to change because of injuries. It is now Tuesday, so there are still many days to recover towards Sunday,” the German manager of Chelsea continues. “We will make sure we are ready for Sunday. It would be nice if we could also influence the game with substitutions, so I hope the boys will be fit again for Sunday.”
Ziyech left a good impression on the English press with an assist on Kai Havertz’ opening goal. Ziyech often got the ball in the opening phase, but he failed to cut in continuously and come out at his left foot. Football London, which hands out a 7. “Ziyech provided the corner from which Havertz scored. It’s a shame he had to be substituted in the second half with an injury and is in doubt for the EFL Cup final.”
Oh no! An injury for Hakim Ziyech and he goes off the field… ??#ZiggoSport #UCL #CHELOSC pic.twitter.com/Y60oLCyc4Y
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) February 22, 2022
The Daily Mail and London Evening Standard come to the same assessment, but also saw Ziyech ‘limp off the field’. “He had some silky smooth moments, but was also sloppy a few times in the dangerous zone of the field,” said the London Evening Standard† The Sun believes Ziyech continued his ‘great form’ and played a ‘solid game’.
“His assumptions were good, his feet were fast, but you wish he had a little more confidence in his right foot sometimes. Now it was sometimes a bit predictable,” writes The Sun† The Independent mentions Chelsea’s concerns about Kovacic and Ziyech. “The fact that Kovacic limped into the players tunnel was cause for concern. But the fact that Ziyech subsequently also suffered an injury was a nightmare for Tuchel. Kovacic and Ziyech were the best form players at Chelsea. Despite the good selection, they would both have started against Liverpool.”