Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech says he is finally free of pain from shoulder injury

Hakim Ziyech reveals he’s finally pain free and believes he can contribute more with goals and assists.
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Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech says his start to the season was hindered by a shoulder injury, and he’s only now getting back to his best form after fully healing.

After a slow start to the season, that saw him linked with a move away, Ziyech has shot into life with five goal contributions in his last five starts for the Blues, scoring two and assisting three.

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The Morocco international has had a stop-start career with the European Champions since joining from Ajax in 2020.

Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea is challenged by Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa during the Carabao Cup (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea is challenged by Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa during the Carabao Cup (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea is challenged by Marvelous Nakamba of Aston Villa during the Carabao Cup (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

In 30 Premier League games, Ziyech has only managed three goals, but says the fans will now see the best of him after finally recovering from the shoulder injury he picked up in August.

“I’m enjoying it now and of course I always want to be decisive with goals and assists,” the midfielder said.

“You know I had a rough time behind me with the injury but since I don’t play with the brace again I feel more free.

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“It was tough to be honest because it still blocks you in the kind of way you move, because normally I’m used to being free with my body movement.

“But this kind of thing holds me back a little bit but since I’m not playing with the brace I’m feeling free and feeling really fine.”

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old scored the winner in a difficult game against Watford on Wednesday night, and is in line to start against West Ham, something which is viewed as a reward for his rich vein of form at the moment.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel always revealed he was happy that the winger was finally able to show his best form, after what has been a difficult adaptation period for the winger.

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He said: "I can feel it. He feels better now, it took him a long time. He was always very ambitious.

“With his shoulder injury, I could feel the 100% he could give was not the 100% of his top level.

“Now he feels much better, he smiles, he is happy, he is decisive.

“He had a huge influence now from the bench against Leicester and Watford.

"He’s in a good shape, in good form and state of mind and we want him absolutely to be influential. I will not tell you if he starts tomorrow or comes from the bench.”