Chelsea are ready to exchange Hakim Ziyech for Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie in a straight swap deal, according to Spanish outlet SPORT. Ziyech has now evidently fallen out of favour at the club under two managers in Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. Although the new manager had suggested that Ziyech will be given opportunities to revive his dry career at the club, reality seems far from it.
On the other hand, Barcelona too haven’t utilised much of their summer recruit Franck Kessie, who is already looking for move out of the club for regular gametime. The Catalans’ manager Xavi has admitted that while he has no doubts over Kessie’s qualities, its just that there’s too much competition in that area, with Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi all ahead of the Ivorian. As a result, he could be laid-off after just a short spell at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Barca eye Depay replacement; Chelsea want Kante heir
Barcelona have just lost Memphis Depay to Atletico Madrid on a permanent transfer in a deal worth €4m. As evident, they don’t have enough funds to buy his replacement outright, and neither is their financial situation steady enough to at least collect the money. However, Xavi is reportedly pushing for Depay’s replacement, with Ziyech emerging as a serious option for Barcelona.
According to multiple reports, the Moroccan is open to a move away from Stamford Bridge, as he was even on the verge of signing for AC Milan last summer. He demands regular gametime, which isn’t guaranteed at Chelsea anytime soon. The Blues are stacked on the wings with options in Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz, and newly added Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.
Ziyech has already seen his gametime cut down, having started just 5 matches so far for the Blues. Moreover, he is also upset with manager Graham Potter, as despite displaying scintillating form at the World Cup where he inspired Morocco to a fourth place finish, he was not handed enough opportunities after returning to club football. As a result, Ziyech is ready to move as he feels his World Cup form is a testament to his form.
Elsewhere, Barcelona too are ready to let go Franck Kessie, after only signing for free in the summer. Many questions were raised over his acquisition, given the Catalans already had a number of brilliant players in that position. And as expected, Kessie has been limited to a mere 6 starts across all competitions by Xavi. While his agent has reiterated that the 26-year-old is determined to succeed in Spain, the lure more minutes could eventually land him elsewhere.
Chelsea meanwhile are looking to replace one of their legendary midfielders N’Golo Kante, who has had a season to forget. Kante has been out since August 2022 due to a hamstring injury, and chances are far and few that he returns to feature for the Blues this season. And at 31, it was already being speculated after his injury that Kante will be replaced by Chelsea either in January, or in the summer when his contract expires.
The West Londoners, who have spent close to £500m so far on transfers under their new owners, are eyeing a smart piece of business, by offering Ziyech for Kessie in a swap deal, as they consider the former Milan midfielder as a long term heir to Kante. However, the deal reportedly depends on Barcelona, as they have doubts over Ziyech’s output and consistency in recent years, registering just 14 goals in 97 games for the Blues.