‘IS HE SERIOUS ATALL? – as Joe Cole joins Chelsea fans in slamming Chelsea player for what he did in Brighton draw
Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech scored the opener in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Brighton, but the way he reacted was more reminiscent of a consolation goal in a 5-1 defeat.
However, Ziyech might have scored for Chelsea last night, but his lack of celebration didn’t go unnoticed by pundits and fans alike.
And former Chelsea man Joe Cole, on punditry duty for BT Sport, claimed the lack of celebration ‘doesn’t sit well’ for Ziyech, 28, who has been struggling for first team action.
He said: “This is what you play for. He’s a fantastic talent, he hasn’t hit the ground running in the Premier League as it’s very different to the Dutch league.
“But the not celebrating… It doesn’t sit well for him as a lad.”
Cole added: “If he was in my team I’d be saying come on. You know when lads are not happy and they’re not playing.
“But if I come off the bench and score a goal, it’s a release of energy.”
Chelsea fans too were bemused by the lack of reaction to scoring, as one said: “You’d think Ziyech once played for Brighton with that respectful celebration.”
And another theorised: “Think that Ziyech non celebration tells us there ain’t too many happy players in that squad at the moment.”
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel though was unbothered by Ziyech’s stony faced celebration.
The German said after the game: “I am happy. He can score 20 more and not celebrate I have no problem.”
Cole though reckoned Ziyech’s lack of celebration was actually a message to Tuchel, having started just eight out of 21 games in the Premier League this campaign.
And Cole said: “He would be thinking it’s a message to the manager but the message is the goal, I should be playing.
“Enjoy it, you could really galvanise the group here with a 1-0 win in a tough, tough game and you’re out of the slump.”
“He’s obviously got things he’s not happy with, but just keep what you’re doing on the pitch, affect the game and you’ll be playing regularly.
“At Chelsea it’s rare you get players who play in that position who plays every week. You want the lads to just enjoy it a little, take the weight off and go and play.”