Ten Hag sparks concern after revealing 'bond for life' with Chelsea FLOP

Jacque Talbot

• 27 May 2023 11:18 BST
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag has spoken out about his interaction with Hakim Ziyech.

The Chelsea attacker, who almost joined Paris Saint-Germain in January, has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

And the former Ajaz player and manager were seen speaking after Man Utd’s 4-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.

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Ten Hag was asked about what was said between them. The Dutchman replied: "That's between Hakim and me [our talk post-match]. We have experienced a lot together, beautiful things. There is a bond for life. He has to play every week. A footballer like that, in the prime of his life, must be on the pitch."

Ten Hag and Ziyech had a spell together at Ajax, both of them coming moments away from the Champions League final in 2019.

The Moroccan left for Chelsea in 2020 - but it has not been the hope he envisioned.

Ziyech turned 30 in March and it is thought that he will leave the side in the upcoming transfer window.

He has made 24 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, but mostly coming off the bench.

Ziyech on way out

The purchases of Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk during the winter period increased competition in Ziyech’s spot.

His collapsed move to PSG saw the French club's football advisor Luis Campos question their method. "We had the player with us, we had done everything," Campos said in February. "But as with all transfers, you need all three parties to work well.

"In this case it worked very well for Paris Saint-Germain, it also worked well with Ziyech. Unfortunately, it didn’t work well for the last party."

Ziyech is under contract at Chelsea until 2025 and a €40m fee has been reported as an asking price.

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