Chelsea boss Lampard offers Ziyech injury update ahead of Manchester City clash

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The 27-year-old Moroccan has resumed training and could be fit for Sunday’s fixture versus Pep Guardiola’s men

Frank Lampard has hinted that Hakim Ziyech could be available for Chelsea’s blockbuster Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Morocco international who joined the Blues from Ajax for a fee of €40 million has been out of action following a hamstring injury against Leeds United on December 2, 2020.

With just 30 minutes into the league clash at Stamford Bridge, the 27-year-old went down after passing to James Reece in the build-up to the Blues' equalising goal.

As a result of that, the winger has missed the Blues’ last six matches in all competitions. However, the Englishman has given a piece of cheering news as Chelsea prepare to take on Pep Guardiola’s Citizens in two days’ time.

Lampard says Hakim Ziyech has trained the past two or three days but no decision has yet been made on whether he will start on Sunday. Reece James is out of the game with a hamstring problem. #CHEMCI

“He’s fit to train and has trained the last two or three days so I’ll have to make the decision on whether he’s ready to start.” Lampard said during Friday’s press conference per Chelsea website.

Chelsea boast a 27 per cent win rate in the 11 Premier League games Ziyech has not started this term, compared to 80 per cent in the five games he has featured from the beginning.

Interestingly, no Blues player has matched the Morocco international's average of 2.77 chances created per 90 minutes either, Callum Hudson-Odoi the next best for the one-time European kings at 2.66.

And after seeing his players play a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, Lampard had expressed his eagerness to get the former Twente and Heerenveen man back as soon as possible.

"I think with Hakim, the way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals,” he told media.

"He also had a real confidence in the way he was playing and we were very fluid at the time. He got injured when we were in a great run of form, so I think it has been a point.

"There's a possibility Ziyech could be fit for that one if it goes ahead on Sunday. I will know later in the week, but he is progressing to the point where he is close."

Having garnered 26 points from 16 outings in the 2020-21 campaign, Chelsea are sixth in the English elite division log.

2021-01-01 18:00:05

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