Chelsea goal scorer in the 2021 UEFA Super Cup against Europa League winners Villarreal Hakim Ziyech was forced off with what seemed to be a shoulder injury in the tie played last night at Belfast Ireland.

This has caused Chelsea a reason for concern as the winger was in his best form in the pre-season and even scoring the opener in the Super cup.

The former Ajax player had opened the scoring for the Blues in Belfast when he tucked in from Kai Havertz’s cross in the 27th minute with Chelsea having dominated the first half up until that point.

Ziyech celebrates after scoring for Chelsea against Villarreal in the UEFA Super Cup 2021.
PHOTO: Courtesy

Ziyech scored only two goals in 23 appearances in the Premier League last season, mostly coming off the bench. He started the season late due to an injury he sustained in the pre-season against Brighton & Hove Albion and the same seems to repeat itself this season despite his impressive form this pre-season.

Prior to coming off in the 39^th minute in the Super cup tie, Ziyech had created game-leading four chances and four more key passes. Surprisingly, despite the match going on to extra time and eventually penalties, no player from either side created more chances or made more key passes than the Moroccan, with only Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso leveling up with the winger on Key passes made.

Ziyech went down in the 39^th minute after helping his side defend a Villarreal corner and Chelsea medical team rushed on to tend to the 28-year old providing him with an inhaler before American winger Christian Pulisic was introduced in his place.

Hakim Ziyech being attended by Chelsea medics after going down in the 39th minute in the 2021 UEFA Super Cup played at Belfast
PHOTO: Courtesy

Ziyech was seeing in pain as he walked off the pitch in Belfast. With the extent of his injury still remaining unclear at the moment, Thomas Tuchel will definitely be without the winger in his side’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday 14, August 2021 set to be played at Stamford Bridge in front of packed stands after fans were allowed back into the stadium by the UK government.

Ziyech had to use his shirt as a makeshift when he walked off the pitch and into the dressing room before returning to the pitch side with his arm in a sling as he took his spot behind the Chelsea bench for the second half.

The blues headed into the break leading 1-0 thanks to Ziyech’s effort but a goal by Gerard Moreno equaled the tie in the 73^rd minute forcing the match into extra time. Two saves by Chelsea substitute goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga handed the blues the victory at Belfast for their second Super Cup trophy and the first one since 1998.