Facing a second consecutive failed transfer attempt to leave Chelsea, Hakim Ziyech may follow the path of many fallen stars.
Lost in a daydream in the villa he had planned to sell to leave London, Hakim Ziyech lifted his phone and opened the Facebook app out of habit. The familiar question "What's on your mind?" caught his eye on the new status update.
Ziyech sighed, looking down at the knee that had robbed him of a medical examination that could have taken him to Al-Nassr, earning him a net salary of £9 million per year. The Moroccan international wondered what he was thinking. Ziyech sighed again, thinking about the prospect of celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in magnificent stadiums amidst the Middle Eastern desert. But now, it all seemed like a summer night's dream...
The above is, of course, a fictional account of the star who is still at Chelsea, but his soul surely screams for any possible escape. However, there is a strong basis for such a scenario, as Ziyech is no stranger to these kinds of struggles. Remember, due to failure to complete paperwork on time, Chelsea previously prevented the "illusionist" from moving to PSG in the past January transfer window.
It is only natural not to feel sorry, resentful, or regretful for Ziyech's current situation. A footballer's career is not long, and the peak years are even more limited. Before Ziyech, there have been countless stars who went through transfer windows without breakthroughs, only to disappear from the radar of top clubs and never reach their potential.
Let's consider a few examples: Ziyech's former teammate at Ajax Amsterdam, David Neres, declined interest from several big clubs after his sensational 2018/19 season with the Dutch giants. He chose to stay at Johan Cruyff Arena, only to be plagued by injuries and struggle to find himself while playing for second-tier European teams like Shakhtar Donetsk or Benfica.
Leon Bailey once made a name for himself in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, only to fail to make a breakthrough move to a bigger club. Now, he struggles to meet expectations while playing for Aston Villa.
In the 2017/18 season, Kostas Manolas played exceptionally well in AS Roma's fairytale journey in the UEFA Champions League, with the pinnacle being his headed goal against Ter Stegen in a 3-0 victory in the quarterfinals. Manolas couldn't move to a bigger club before gradually sinking and disappearing at Napoli, only to return to play for Olympiacos.
Another center-back, Willi Boly, had a breakthrough season with Wolverhampton Wanderers four seasons ago but was continuously rumored to be on the verge of signing with one of the "Big Six" clubs in the Premier League. Untimely injuries prevented Boly's progress, leading him to his current destination: Nottingham Forest.
Whether it's unfortunate injuries, obstacles from the club, or the general lack of agreement in contract negotiations, the cases mentioned above all disappeared after just one or two unsuccessful transfer windows. This could be the result of staying in an environment that lacks progress, losing inspiration for the game, and feeling disappointment with reality. It's clear that once trapped in the mediocrity trap—unable to move up or down—it's incredibly difficult to rise again.
The answer also depends on the individual efforts of the player and the upcoming turning points related to the possibility of a transfer to a more suitable environment.
Chelsea, one can say, is no longer home. The expectations placed on Ziyech after his Ajax days have not materialized. The brief moments of brilliance in the colors of the Moroccan national team in the 2022 World Cup were too few. Now is the time for the former Ajax idol to seek a new path, to liberate himself in order to regain his former glory.
