Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech savaged as Morocco boss rules out return from international exile

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Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech won’t be returning to the Morocco fold any time soon if head coach Vahid Halilhodzic has his way. Ziyech has this week been savaged by Halilhodzic, who has claimed that he wouldn’t select the player “even if his name is Lionel Messi.”

Ziyech has long been regarded as one of Morocco’s finest players since making his debut for his country in 2015.

He has scored 17 goals in 40 appearances for the Atlas Lions and played in all three of their matches at the 2018 World Cup.

But he upset Halilhodzic after linking up with his country last summer and hasn’t been called up since.

And it appears that Ziyech’s exile could last for some time.

“The players I have selected are the best in the country,” Halilhodzic told reporters in the aftermath of Morocco’s Africa Cup of Nations exit.

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“I don’t select a player who can unbalance the group – not even if his name is Lionel Messi.

“Ziyech’s behaviour does not fit the selection. He doesn’t want to train, doesn’t want to play. He doesn’t take it seriously. I’m not going to beg him to come back.

“After the [AFCON] tournament three years ago, he was the most criticised. He was booed – you mustn’t forget that.”

Morocco went into this year’s Africa Cup of Nations as one of the favourites but were knocked out at the quarter-final stage after losing to Egypt after extra time.

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Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in that match and Egypt have since progressed to the final, where they will meet Senegal.

Morocco, meanwhile, will now turn their attentions to their World Cup qualifying two-legged clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo in March.

And Ziyech looks set to miss out on those games as well.

After the winger had won his last two caps against Ghana and Burkina Faso last June, Halilhodzic admitted he had a problem with the player’s behaviour.

“His behaviour in the last two matches – especially the last one – was not that of a national team player who, as a leader in the team, must be a positive role model.

“He arrived late and after that he even refused to work. There was no point in discussing it afterwards – as a coach the answer is right there to see.”

Despite his international problems, Ziyech has enjoyed his fair share of gametime for Chelsea this season and has racked-up 24 appearances in all competitions.

Before the winter break he scored a sensational goal as the Blues defeated Tottenham 2-0 in the Premier League.

And the 28-year-old will be hoping to hold down a regular place in Thomas Tuchel’s side between now and the end of the season as Chelsea go in search of trophies.

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