In a remarkably candid exclusive interview, Hakim Ziyech has finally addressed his disappointing spell at Chelsea, labelling himself a failure at the Premier League giants but vowing to resurrect his career in Turkey.
The Moroccan international, who completed a £52 million move from Ajax in 2020 with enormous expectation, has spoken openly about the factors behind his struggles in West London and his dramatic summer exit to Galatasaray.
'I Didn't Meet My Own Standards' - Ziyech's Frank Admission
'I have to be honest, I failed there,' Ziyech stated bluntly. 'It's not something I hide from. For one reason or another, it didn't work out. I didn't meet the standards I set for myself.'
His time at Stamford Bridge was plagued by inconsistent form, injuries, and a struggle to secure a regular starting position under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel. The creative midfielder, so devastatingly effective in the Eredivisie, never quite replicated that magic in the blue of Chelsea.
The January Transfer That Collapsed
Ziyech also shed light on the dramatic collapse of his proposed loan move to Paris Saint-Germain in the January 2023 transfer window, a saga that left him in limbo.
'The PSG move was agreed, everything was done,' he explained. 'Then, at the very last moment, I was told there was a problem with the documents, that they were sent too late. It was a difficult moment, a real professional disappointment.'
This administrative failure meant Ziyech saw out the second half of the season at Chelsea, largely on the sidelines, before his permanent move to Süper Lig champions Galatasaray was finalised this summer.
A New Chapter: The Galatasaray Revival
Now, with a fresh start at the Turkish club, the 30-year-old is determined to prove his doubters wrong and show the world the player he knows he can still be.
'My focus is entirely on Galatasaray now,' Ziyech declared with renewed vigour. 'I am happy here, I feel the confidence of the club and the fans. This is my chance to show everyone my real quality. I will prove myself again.'
For Chelsea fans, it's the closing of a chapter on a transfer that promised so much but ultimately delivered very little. For Ziyech, it's the beginning of a mission to rebuild his reputation and rediscover his joy for the game.
