Scott Minto SLAMS Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech after he flattered to deceive during Southampton defeat


‘It wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t play again’: Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto SLAMS Hakim Ziyech… after Moroccan outcast blew his shot to impress during defeat to Southampton

Former Chelsea defender Scott Minto has slammed Hakim Ziyech and said it ‘wouldn’t bother him’ if he didn’t play for the club again.

Ziyech started for the first time this season in Chelsea’s dismal 2-1 defeat against Southampton on Tuesday.

However, the Moroccan struggled to make an impact in the Blues’ three-man attack alongside Raheem Sterling and Kai Havertz at St Mary’s.

Scott Minto slammed Hakim Ziyech after his performance in Chelsea’s loss to Southampton

The attacking midfielder made his first start of the season during Tuesday's clash at St Mary's

The attacking midfielder made his first start of the season during Tuesday’s clash at St Mary’s

Ziyech has been keen to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to nail down a regular place during his two full seasons at Chelsea

Ziyech has been keen to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after failing to nail down a regular place during his two full seasons at Chelsea

Ziyech scored 49 times and added 81 assists during a four-year-spell with Ajax which convinced Chelsea to spend £33m on the attacking midfielder in 2020.

But his time at Stamford Bridge has not proved to be as successful, with the Moroccan star keen to leave the club this summer after failing to nail down a regular spot in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI. 

He was linked with a return to Ajax but the Dutch club baulked at Chelsea’s asking price and Ziyech now looks set to remain at Stamford Bridge.

However, speculation continues to persist over his future and Minto claimed that if he were to leave, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for the club.

‘For me, Hakim Ziyech, it wouldn’t bother me if he didn’t play for Chelsea again,’ the former Chelsea and West Ham left-back told talkSPORT. 

‘It was difficult for Christian Pulisic coming on but again, he’s another player who has flattered to deceive over the last 18 months or so. 

‘At the moment Chelsea have a lot of ‘flair players’, but they’re not getting on the ball and in the second half it was Southampton who stepped it up and fully deserved the three points in the end.

‘It was disappointing for Chelsea and it’s going to be an interesting last couple of days before the transfer window finishes.’

Minto also refused to criticise Blues boss Thomas Tuchel and instead pointed the blame at the feet of the Chelsea players.

He said: ‘I think that Thomas Tuchel did all that he can with what he had on the bench.

‘He went from a three, to a four, to a three again and bringing on all his attacking players that he thought he could in terms of senior professionals, but they just weren’t good enough.     

Minto refused to blame Thomas Tuchel after the defeat and instead criticised the players

Minto refused to blame Thomas Tuchel after the defeat and instead criticised the players

‘The goal that made it 2-1 gave Southampton a big cheer and a big pat on the back. Coming off at half-time everyone in the stadium was up for it.

‘Okay, it’s half-time. How are Chelsea going to react? They did not react at all in the second half.’

Tuchel’s side are currently languishing in eighth place, with just seven points from their first five Premier League games.