Hakim Ziyech provides Thomas Tuchel with easy Chelsea decision amid Christian Pulisic contest

Hakim Ziyech has reaffirmed his decision to step away from the Moroccan national team to maintain a key advantage over his rivals on the Chelsea wing. The former Ajax star has not met up with his national side at all this season after falling out with manager Vahid Halihodzic. He has not being selected by the head coach since June.

Halilhodzic said September: "His behaviour in the last two matches, especially the last one, was not that of a national team player who as a leader in the team has to be a positive role model. For the first time in my coaching career, I have seen behaviour that disappoints me. A player who refuses to play a game, admittedly a friendly, on the pretext that he is injured.

"The medical staff made several examinations and said he could play. He then refused to warm up in the second half because he was disappointed to be a substitute. For me, that type of behaviour is unacceptable. I won’t tolerate it. Not this behaviour as long as I coach Morocco.”

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Following that outburst Ziyech wanted the Bosnian to "speak the truth" and having missed the Africa Cup of Nations during January, he announced his international retirement in February. However, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football association, stated that Ziyech would be called up for the World Cup qualifiers later this month. That sparked the Chelsea star to quash the 'misinformation'.

He said: "I love my country and playing for the Moroccan national football team has been the honour of my lifetime, so it is with great sadness that I must announce that although the FRMF President today confirmed that I will be pre-selected for the team, I won’t be