Chelsea boss Tuchel addresses Ziyech exit rumours: He's important

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has dismissed talk of Hakim Ziyech leaving in January.

Ziyech has been linked with Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund in recent days.

"In the moment, here in Cobham there an no thoughts about his future or a potential change, a swap deal or whatever in winter, I have talked to nobody about it here in Cobham," Tuchel stated.

"Hakim was not in my office to express a wish like this. Right now, he is an important guy. He is very talented, very ambitious and he is a full part of the squad.

"He was last season and is this season. We expect the very best of him all the time, but it is tough competition. I cannot let everybody play all the time for 90 minutes. It is simply not possible."

Tuchel also stated: "I said many times, he was brilliant in pre-season.

"He had a major injury which was a huge setback. He played after his shoulder injury with pain and huge protection that kept him from being totally free which is necessary for his game, his movement and mobility, and his position and style of play.

"So now he stepped up in the last games, we had some injuries, he took the chance to have more game time, like Callum [Hudson-Odoi] did and he was decisive. He assisted and scored. It's good."