20 August 2023 , 16:26
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has celebrated Hakim Ziyech's move to Galatasaray with a thinly-veiled dig at Chelsea, hailing how his former team-mate is now "free".
Morocco international Ziyech secured a season-long loan with the Turkish giants on Saturday, with Galatasaray paying an initial £3million and having the obligation to buy him permanently for a further £2.4m next summer. The 30-year-old midfielder had spent three seasons in West London and last term endured a torrid campaign alongside Aubameyang, who's also moved on this summer.
The ex-Blues striker has joined French heavyweights Marseille on a permanent basis, signing a three-year contract. Aubameyang is already enjoying life away from Chelsea and hopes that Ziyech will feel the same in Istanbul, writing on his Instagram story: "All the best my bro. Free Hakim," alongside a series of light-hearted emojis.
Blues fans didn't take too kindly to the message, with one brutally declaring: "So glad Auba has gone - what a mug." Another added: "Not our fault hardly any clubs wanted him." A third tweeted: "Thank god they're both gone. I'm fed up with uncommitted players."
More of Ziyech's old Chelsea pals wished him well, including Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Ian Maatsen, the latter of whom remains at Stamford Bridge. Wearing the club's home shirt, Ziyech was unveiled to 52,000 of Galatasaray's supporters on Saturday night as they beat Trabzonspor 2-0 in the Turkish Super Lig.
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Hakim Ziyech has been unveiled as a Galatasaray player after leaving Chelsea on loan (Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images)Gleefully leading chants in the home end, the Dutch-born playmaker already seems to be a fan favourite. New Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino isn't such an admirer, though, initially sanctioning his departure in July before Ziyech failed a medical with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.
He's now out of the door and Pochettino is relishing a fresh start without stars like him and Aubameyang. "After the last season, now is a new start, a fresh start, and I think [the players still at the club] need to show their real quality," the Argentine coach explained.
"But we need to create this platform for them to feel comfortable and breathing space for them to perform and improve. We are really focused on that.
"I think it is also one of the challenges to help this type of player, the players who arrived in very difficult circumstances to join this football club and I think it is a nice challenge for us, because we love to work in this way, but of course we need to give them the opportunity to show they are able to cope with the pressure of playing with Chelsea and performing their best."