Hakim Ziyech will not be able to make his Chelsea debut this season even though the Dutch Eredivisie has been cancelled.
The Ajax winger agreed a move to Chelsea in February in a transfer worth £36.6m and was set to link up with his new side on 1 July.
But although the Dutch season has been halted early because of the coronavirus outbreak, the Daily Mail reports that Ziyech will not be allowed to play for his new side even if the delayed Premier League season gets under way in July or August.
Ziyech, 27, was Frank Lampard’s first signing as Chelsea boss and his arrival could well see experienced duo Willian and Pedro both move on in the summer.
ESPN in Willian’s native Brazil have been reporting that he is keen to stay in London and that Arsenal are favourites to sign him.
Willian has been linked with several other clubs, including Tottenham and Liverpool.
His Chelsea contract is due to expire this summer and it looks likely that he will move on, with Lampard seemingly keen to make new signings while continuing to develop young players.
Lampard is well stocked in midfield, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic as out-and-out wingers and a while host of options to play wide, including Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
