PREMIER - Tuchel on Hakim Ziyech absence: not in the best shape

Hakim Ziyech may have lost some confidence and belief after missing Chelsea's 3-1 win over Southampton, according to Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel.

Trevoh Chalobah, Timo Werner, and Ben Chilwell scored for the hosts, who bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Manchester City. Ziyech was an unused replacement.

Tuchel has justified his decision to leave the Morocco international and Kai Havertz out of Saturday's match at Stamford Bridge.

"We always try to do our best to get the players in the best shape but at some point, after a lot of chances, we have to admit that Kai and Hakim are not in their very best shape," the German coach was quoted by Football London. 

"That may not even be their fault it's just like this at the moment. They struggle at the moment to be decisive. But we had a period after pre-season when Kai and Hakim were very decisive for us.

"Hakim was a key player throughout our preparation and in his first game against Villarreal in the Super Cup, Kai also delivered the assist for Hakim's goal.

"They have maybe lost a bit of belief, confidence, whatever. We will not stop trying to boost them. Nobody is angry at them and nobody has major concerns, but we have to pay attention to the actual form."

This season, Ziyech has made six appearances in all competitions, two of which have been in the Premier League.