Galatasaray midfielder Hakim Ziyech faces an uncertain future with the Turkish club as he is set to be excluded from their squad for the upcoming Europa League match against Tottenham. The decision, reportedly made on both disciplinary and performance grounds, casts doubt on the Moroccan international’s role and future prospects with the Istanbul-based side.
The recent developments come amid a difficult period for Ziyech, who joined Galatasaray hoping for a fresh start after his time at Chelsea.
During the last transfer window, the 30-year-old Moroccan had attracted significant interest from clubs in the Gulf region, where lucrative offers were on the table.
Galatasaray, however, turned down these offers, banking on Ziyech to help fill the gap left by departing players and bring some added depth to the squad.
Despite this confidence in him, Ziyech has struggled to establish himself in the Galatasaray lineup, featuring in just five matches this season.
His limited involvement on the pitch appears to stem from ongoing tensions between him and the coaching staff.
These issues, combined with underwhelming performances, have led Galatasaray to reconsider his role in the team, and he has since fallen out of favour with the management.
The situation has been compounded by Galatasaray’s inability to secure additional signings during the transfer window.
The club had initially anticipated that Ziyech’s skillset and experience would offset the departures of key players, but the strained relationship with his coach has left Ziyech on the sidelines rather than contributing as anticipated.
For Galatasaray, this has become a source of frustration as they continue to face challenges in the competitive Turkish Süper Lig and in European competitions.
Ziyech’s previous club, Chelsea, had also experienced similar challenges with the midfielder, who endured a mixed spell in the Premier League following his high-profile move from Ajax.
Known for his playmaking ability and vision, Ziyech was at times a standout player, but his inconsistency on the field ultimately limited his impact at Stamford Bridge.
His departure from Chelsea was initially viewed as an opportunity to rediscover his form at a club with fewer pressures and where he could potentially assume a more central role.
However, his struggles have followed him to Galatasaray, where he has yet to make a meaningful contribution.
For Ziyech, the decision to omit him from the squad for such a high-stakes Europa League fixture against Tottenham raises questions about his future with Galatasaray.
The team’s need for consistency and cohesion has placed further pressure on the Moroccan international to prove his worth, yet his recent performances and ongoing off-field issues appear to have hindered his progress within the club.
As Galatasaray continues its Europa League campaign, the club may revisit the offers they previously dismissed if Ziyech remains sidelined.
His future with the team now looks increasingly tenuous, with potential moves to the Gulf region or other leagues likely to be reconsidered come the next transfer window.
For now, Ziyech’s focus will need to be on regaining his coach’s trust and demonstrating that he can contribute effectively, as Galatasaray faces critical fixtures in both domestic and European competitions.
