Ziyech left Chelsea last summer after failing to clinch transfers to PSG or the Saudi Pro League. He had fallen out of favor with the previous Blues managers, Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel.

Despite Mauricio Pochettino’s agreement, the offensive midfielder/winger’s loan to Turkey has not been effective.

The 30-year-old has played in 14 games and has four goals and six assists. Half of his goals came in the 3-3 Champions League tie with Manchester United.

Nonetheless, the club is understandably dissatisfied that his impact and game time have been hampered by recurring sicknesses and fitness issues.

Galatasaray is willing to cancel his loan and return him to west London, according to the Daily Mail, quoting Turkish news site NTV Spor.

However, there are two huge impediments that might make this impossible, so take it with a grain of salt.

First and foremost, Ziyech will miss the entire January transfer window due to his selection for the Morocco national squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

He will work alongside Manchester United’s Sofyan Amrabat and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi to assist the Atlas Lions win their first AFCON since 1976.

Second, Ziyech’s loan agreement is being misinterpreted. According to Chelsea, Galatasaray is compelled to buy him from them at the end of the season for an estimated £2.5 million.

Alternatively, it has been reported that it is only a purchase option, or possibly an obligation if certain conditions are met.

In the first situation, Ziyech’s return is quite doubtful; but, in the later case, the player’s recent public criticism of club owner Todd Boehly makes for an awkward reunion.

Ziyech played 107 appearances for Chelsea after arriving from Ajax for £34 million in 2020, scoring 14 goals and assisting on 13 more. During his tenure, the club won the Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Suer Cup, as well as reaching the finals of the FA Cup and League Cup.