FRANK LAMPARD admits it is “difficult” to get Hakim Ziyech match fit and “integrated” because of Chelsea’s coronavirus bubble.
Summer recruit Ziyech is back training after a pre-season injury but can’t play internal practice matches due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Morocco star Hakim Ziyech has been unable to play training matches against Chelsea’s U23s due to the club’s Covid-19 bubbleCredit: Getty – Pool
Blues’ boss Lampard said of his £36.7million ex-Ajax winger: “It’s been very difficult to integrate him.
“We have a bubble here at Cobham so we can’t play against the Under-23s or bring over a lot of kids to replicate 11 vs 11 games on big-sized pitches, which is generally where you would want someone to be working when they’ve not played for five or six months.
“We miss that and we have to find the right way to give Hakim and others in the squad minutes as quickly as we can.”
Nonetheless, Lampard praised Ziyech’s attitude as the 27-year-old battles back from a knee problem suffered against Brighton during a friendly in August.
And Lamps is equally delighted at how new keeper Edouard Mendy is already showing leadership after his £22m arrival last month.
The ex-Rennes No1 shone in Tuesday’s 0-0 home Champions League draw against Sevilla.
Lamps said: “I want to help grow the ideas of leaders and personalities within the group.
“You can’t get on in any elite sport without people with personality and character in the team.
“I have seen that in Hakim and Edu Mendy as soon as they came through the door.
“‘Hakim has confidence about him, his fitness is coming individually.
“He still needs a bit of time to get his match fitness now his injury is cleared up, but both of those will be great additions on that front. “
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
