Hakim Ziyech's agent has denied saying that the winger has asked to leave Galatasaray amid reports claiming his loan from Chelsea will be cut short.
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Ziyech struggling in TurkeyCould head back to London in JanuaryAgent labelled exit statement as fake newsWHAT HAPPENED?
According to Turkish outletNTV Spor, Galatasaray are looking to end Ziyech's loan deal in January. The 30-year-old has endured an "ineffective" spell in the Super Lig since he moved on loan to Istanbul from Stamford Bridge in the summer. He has featured in just nine matches so far this season, which has given rise to speculation that his time in Turkey might be over, despite his contract expiring in the summer.
AdvertisementWHAT GEORGE GARDI SAID
Amid the uncertainty, Ziyech's representative George Gardi was alleged to have said in a statement: "Hakim Ziyech's Galatasaray adventure started well, but it did not continue well. We conveyed to Galatasaray that we wanted to leave. Galatasaray will not cause us any difficulties."
However, Gardi set the record straight on his Instagram story, labelling the statement "fake news".
"I never made ay statement on Ziyech and I don't know this person who wrote using my name," he wrote.
InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ziyech's future remains uncertain as Mauricio Pochettino might not find a place for him at Chelsea given his options in attack and the squad's bloated nature. For now, Ziyech will shift his focus to international duty with the Morocco national team. He has received a call-up to Walid Regragui's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations and will have his sights set on a deep run at the prestigious international tournament.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ziyech has just four goals and two assists to his name in all competitions for Galatasaray. The team management reportedly do not deem his efforts to be enough to keep him on board until the summer, and are looking to get him off their books before the January window slams shut.