Hakim Ziyech has admitted some frustrations over his first season at Chelsea.
The midfielder arrived in the summer from Ajax, but has battled with injury since the Premier League's shortened preseason programme held in September.
“It was a difficult first half year," Ziyech admits in conversation with Ziggo Sport via Voetbalzone. “Of course I immediately started with an injury, came back, then had another injury. So things are not going the way I had hoped.
“But, as most know, I always have faith in myself. I know what I can do, so I don't worry too much about that. The real Ziyech will be there.
“It is faster than at Ajax. Luckily I picked that up pretty quickly, until I got injured in the first exhibition game, which then throws you back all the way. And not even after that. That was a bummer. "
Ziyech was signed by Frank Lampard before the end of last season and admits it was difficult seeing his manager sacked. However, the midfielder also insists he's ready to play where new head coach Thomas Tuchel wishes.
On Lampard's sacking, Ziyech also said: “You know that can happen if the results are not good. It is also not the first time that it happens to me that the trainer is fired, so I know how to deal with that.
"We will have to wait and see what kind of system he (Thomas Tuchel) wants to play in. We have already played twice with three defenders and I was a second ten. But as you know: whether I play on the right or in the centre, that doesn't really matter to me. As long as I play. That is the most important."
Tuchel left Ziyech on the bench for Chelsea's 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Sunday. The German again played with two supporting attackers behind centre-forward Olivier Giroud, though went with Timo Werner and Mason Mount from the start.
So far this season, Ziyech has played 11 times in the Premier League, scoring once and producing three assists. He has a contract to 2025.
- updated February 8
