Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

'I don't want to play here' - Ex-Chelsea star makes stunning revelation

talksport.com, 19 December 2024, 16:39
Hakim Ziyech had one of football's great welcomes when he arrived at Galatasaray, but he now says he regrets the move.

The Netherlands-born Morocco international arrived in Turkey just last year after his departure from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

He was initially unveiled to supporters in August 2023 after a 2-0 Super Lig win over Trabzonspor in spine-tingling scenes.

Ziyech emerged among the club's ultra group in the main stand at Rams Park and began conducting the crowd in amazing scenes as his new teammates looked on from the pitch smiling.

Yet despite such an incredible start, he's now aiming for the exit door just a year-and-a-half later.

Speaking to Turkish journalist Haluk Yurekli, he laid into Galatasaray's manager Okan Buruk in a surprising turn of events.

read more on hakim ziyech

Ex-Chelsea star misses open goal from eight yards in miss of season contender

Forgotten Chelsea star throws a huge tantrum as he reacts furiously to substitution

"Galatasaray is over for me," he is quoted as saying. "I don't want to play here anymore. I'm leaving in January.

"I've never seen a coach of such a low level. I don't care that much... I want to be left alone, no matter what happens. I regret coming here."

Ziyech was handed 23 appearances by Buruk in his debut campaign and registered eight goals and four assists in an incredible 102-point league winning season.

The 31-year-old's loan from Chelsea was then converted into a permanent deal, suggesting things were positive.

Most read in Football

Gary O'Neil turns down chance to make immediate return to management

Pereira becomes new Wolves boss as Premier League club pay six-figure compensation

My dad is Premier League cult hero - now I'm hoping to ruin Chelsea's European dream

Ratcliffe pumps £79m into Man United - but it will not help Amorim's transfer budget

However, this term his usage has dropped off, with just eight appearances out of a possible 24; seven of those showings off the bench.

That likely explains Ziyech's anger, but his criticism of Buruk doesn't quite stack up as Gala are once again leading the league a whole six points ahead of Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.

The Istanbul giants are also sixth in the league phase of the Europa League and on course to head straight into the last 16.

Ziyech's path into the line-up has been blocked by summer signings Victor Osimhen and Michy Batshuayi up front, while Dries Mertens continues to impress.

His desires may also be welcomed by Galatasaray, who reportedly want to clear out a space for the loan signing of Roma's Paulo Dybala.

Ziyech made his name as a dead ball specialist at Ajax who he played for from 2016 to 2020, starring in their run to the Champions League semi-finals.

He then moved to Stamford Bridge in 2020 for a reported fee of £40million, and he became a European champion with the Blues in 2021.

Football finance expert reveals Mykhailo Mudryk's failed drugs test is nightmare PSR issue for Chelsea

Top News

22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk South American giants Palmeiras have reportedly sent an 'initial proposal' to Fulham for midfielder Andreas Pereira. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Nuno Espirito Santo will rival Arne Slot to win the Premier League's Manager of the Year award. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona want to sever ties with attacker Ansu Fati at the earliest opportunity in the January transfer window but the player is rebelling against a move, according to a report. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Allianz Arena despite links with a return to the Premier League next year. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serie A powerhouses Napoli have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Sorloth scored a last-gasp winner as Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to go top of the La Liga table. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after sustaining a suspected hamstring problem in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have written a new page of English football history thanks to their 5-1 destruction of London rivals Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League derby. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 17 of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig will be wrapped up with a clash between two sides from the Marmara region, as Istanbul Basaksehir welcome Kasimpasa to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on Monday evening. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Leicester loan star Facundo Buonanotte wants to see a Tottenham forward join him so they can rekindle their partnership. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's rivals will hate it but they can definitely claim London is red after their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus continued his resurgence with two goals as the Gunners demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal fans' worst fears have been realised with Bukayo Saka substituted early with a suspected hamstring injury. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have suffered a worrying injury blow over Bukayo Saka, who appeared to pick up a hamstring problem in Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly both interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume, with the France Under-21s international potentially leaving Estadio Ramon next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have welcomed Ferland Mendy back into their squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Sevilla. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Mykhailo Mudryk will be sat ringside at Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Tyson Fury days after being suspended from football. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton have confirmed the appointment of former Roma head coach Ivan Juric as their new manager following the departure of Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United's 4-0 victory against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road ensured that they followed up their qualification for the EFL Cup semi-final with an important three points in the Premier League. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Southampton have confirmed ex-Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest enhanced their Champions League credentials and condemned Brentford to their first home loss of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Jack Grealish burned some bridges with Aston Villa after taunting the club's fans following their victory over Manchester City. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A fitting final Premier League match before Christmas Day, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool engage in a battle of the behemoths in North London on Sunday afternoon. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa handed Manchester City a 2-1 defeat on Saturday, adding to the woes of Pep Guardiola's side, who have now endured nine losses in their last 12 matches. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has claimed that his side decided to defeat Manchester City "through domination" on Saturday afternoon. 21 December 2024 talksport.com "This is a crisis." 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome Sevilla to Bernabeu on Sunday. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have added Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to their wishlist for the summer transfer window, according to a report. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be without the services of Hector Fort for Saturday's La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid, with the defender ruled out of the contest due to a hamstring problem. 21 December 2024 talksport.com It was the nightmare before Christmas for new Coventry City manager Frank Lampard.