Lampard confirms Hakim Ziyech hamstring injury

Leading into tonight’s contest against Leeds, the Chelsea squad were fully fit for perhaps the first time this season, if not multiple seasons. Unfortunately, that situation lasted less than half an hour.

Hakim Ziyech had the misfortune of succumbing to an apparent hamstring injury in the 27th minute. The 27-year-old had become a fixture on the right wing since recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the squad since the brief preseason.

Ziyech’s last contribution to the match was to partake in the buildup to Chelsea’s equalizing goal. He set up Reece James with a ball into space, which the young full back whipped into the box for Olivier Giroud to score.

After the match, Lampard confirmed that Ziyech’s substitution was the result of injury, with the severity to be determined after further tests are completed. (Ed.note: worryingly, Lampard did not put his customary positive spin on the news, which might be a bad omen.)

“With Hakim it’s a hamstring injury which we will find out the severity of in the next couple of days. The disappointment is going into this busy period.”

-Frank Lampard; source: Football.London

It’s certainly an unfortunate setback for Ziyech, as we could be looking upwards of 4-6 weeks out, depending on the severity. That’s how long our last hamstring injury victim, and incidentally the player who replaced Ziyech in the match, Christian Pulisic was out before his return this week.

Hopefully we will get better news soon about The Wizard of AMS. Get well soon, Hakim!