Graham Potter stresses that Chelsea are “delighted” with Hakim Ziyech and appeals to the Blues’ extended senior team to show patience.

Ziyech was the star of the match between Morocco and the national team that finished fourth at the World Cup, and demonstrated his full creative repertoire on the world stage in Qatar.

The 29-year-old has struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, which is why AC Milan are closely monitoring his situation in a bid to lure the former Ajax playmaker to Serie A.

Ziyech has only made nine appearances for Chelsea this season, but manager Potter is confident that the talented striker will play a crucial role.

“He was a little bit out of the first eleven when we came to the club,” said Potter. “But he was there and we know his qualities. We like him as a player and he is someone who plays between the lines.”

Ziyech joined Chelsea in 2020 as part of Frank Lampard’s restructure of the Blues. Lampard considered it a major coup to secure Ziyech’s services and match-winning abilities, but was never able to get the best out of the mercurial striker.

The system preferred by Thomas Tuchel offered Ziyech little scope to bring out his special talents, but Potter is not giving up on his efforts to carve out the right niche for himself at Stamford Bridge.

“At Chelsea you can always talk a lot because there will always be good players who are not in the starting line-up and you have to be patient,” said Potter.

“But we are enthusiastic about him and were happy for him at the World Cup. I kept in touch with him during the tournament. He is a good guy and he has quality.”