Chelsea manager Graham Potter has spoken about Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech's future with the club after reports linked him with a move to Newcastle United.
The Magpies have had a fantastic first half of the season thanks to the likes of Miguel Almiron who has thrived under Eddie Howe's tutelage but squad depth at the winger position is an issue that they must fix in this transfer window.
Ziyech has made 14 appearances for the Blues this season but has only started five times, with just three of them in the Premier League.
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The Chelsea boss spoke about the future of Hakim Ziyech and the situation that has surrounded him at Chelsea over the last few months after his World Cup run came to an end.
Speaking on the rumours, Potter said: "We know his qualities and we like him as a player. At Chelsea there are always good players that aren't in the starting XI. [I am] Delighted for him to get the game time and help [Morocco]. I kept in touch with him throughout the World Cup."
Potter has been positive around his relationship with the winger in the past, offering both him and Christian Pulisic 'clean slates' after their reportedly troubled relationship with former manager Thomas Tuchel.
With both Jacob Murphy and Allan Saint-Maximin as options in Howe's preferred 4-3-3 formation as well as Almiron, Ziyech could come into St. James' Park with a guarantee of some consistent first team minutes, something he's struggled for at Chelsea.
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