Hakim Ziyech will stay at Chelsea after French football’s governing body (LFP) refused to approve his move to Paris Saint-Germain, as originally reported by Telefoot (via Telegraph).
The Moroccan had travelled to France yesterday for his medical. He was due to join PSG for the second half of the season and replace Pablo Sarabia.
However, the Ligue 1 champions have accused Chelsea of sending the wrong documents multiple times. These errors meant PSG could not complete the deal for Ziyech before the transfer deadline.
The LFP met this morning to contemplate allowing the move to go through but have rejected PSG’s request.
Ziyech will be red-faced returning to London after being in PSG’s offices and failing to complete the move due to incompetence.
He was all set to join the Ligue 1 table-toppers until June 2023, but that move has now collapsed. It is unclear if PSG, Chelsea or Ziyech can appeal the decision.
The 29-year-old will have to wait until the summer transfer window before leaving the club. His contract with Chelsea expires in 2025, and he has two more years on his deal.
Ziyech will return to Chelsea and will likely compete with new signing Noni Madueke for a spot on the right side of the attack. He has struggled in the Premier League since joining the club from Eredivisie champions Ajax.
The playmaker has netted six goals and seven assists in 56 league games for the Blues. This season, he has no goals and one assist in ten Premier League appearances.
He has only started four of those games and has been a second-string player for most of his time at the club.
The loan deal to PSG was ponderous from Chelsea’s point of view. Ziyech would not have started ahead of Lionel Messi.
After Chelsea’s numerous January dealings, they will have to figure out how to fit the new signings into their Champions League squad.
