Hakim Ziyech returns after World Cup heroics along with Reece James and Ben Chilwell – how Chelsea could look as Premier League restarts

A change of scenery can do wonders for one’s mindset and Hakim Ziyech’s World Cup exploits may just have given himself a Chelsea lifeline.

One month ago, Ziyech’s future at Stamford Bridge appeared as bleak as the recent wintery conditions shrouding the capital, having started just once in the Premier League this season.

The Moroccan was largely a regular last season under Thomas Tuchel but a dip in form resulted in him starting just three of Chelsea’s final ten league games.

Tuchel’s dismissal in September handed Ziyech the opportunity to impress new boss Graham Potter and wipe the slate clean but his situation became considerably worse.

The former Ajax forward joined up with Morocco’s World Cup squad last month with just 270-minutes of football in the tank this season.

But with his Chelsea career visibly waning, Ziyech was handed the opportunity to put himself firmly in the shop window on the world’s biggest stage.

The 29-year-old did just that with a host of heroic displays for the Atlas Lions on their surge to the semi-final, where they were eventually beaten by France.

Ziyech’s performances in Qatar now beg the question of whether he has put himself in the shop window for potential suitors or whether he has put himself back on the shelf in west London?

He started every one of Morocco’s games at the World Cup and repaid the faith put in him by boss Walid Regragui.

It was also a timely reminder to Potter of what he has at his disposal ahead of the resumption of the Premier League with Chelsea sitting in an underwhelming eighth position – eight points adrift of the top four.

His two goals and an assist in Qatar spoke volumes for a player who has struggled to convince Potter that he can be relied on.

Of Chelsea’s forward stars to appear at the World Cup it is Ziyech who will head back to the UK with his head held high and a new lease of life.

Mason Mount found himself in and out of Gareth Southgate’s England side while Conor Gallagher played no part in the tournament despite being named in the squad.

Raheem Sterling was not at his clinical best for the Three Lions before a burglary at his family home interrupted his tournament prior to the victory over Senegal.

Manchester United and Newcastle target Christian Pulisic was arguably the United States’ standout player before their exit in the Round of 16 at the hands of the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz and Germany were dumped out at the group stage.

Now that Ziyech has thrust himself back into the limelight, Chelsea could do worse than to feed off his U-turn in form and throw him back into the starting eleven for the festive fixtures.

Potter can ill-afford to lose any further ground in the race for European places and with a quick turnaround until the resumption, the Chelsea boss may find a number of his stars nursing World Cup hangovers.

Ziyech has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Chelsea deal and to date, his spell in west London can be best described as a mixed bag since his arrival in 2020.

But there is time to put his indifferent spell behind him and star for the flailing Blues as they look to turn around their fortunes.

A World Cup followed by a month-long transfer window could see interest rise in the forward, much like a number of his Moroccan teammates.

But with the unfinished business of a Premier League season and a Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund in the spring, Ziyech could still have an almighty role to play for the Blues this season.

And he could be joined by the soon-to-return Reece James and Ben Chilwell too, who are recovering from injuries.

How Chelsea could look with Ziyech