Frank Lampard said that it is not a coincidence Chelsea's form has dipped since Hakim Ziyech injured a hamstring but the head coach believes there is a chance that the Moroccan is fit to face Manchester City on Sunday if that Premier League game goes ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Ziyech has been out since hurting his leg late in the first half of the 2-1 win over Leeds United on December 5, with Chelsea winning just one of six games since including last night's 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.
He is expected to be back in full training later this week, although there is some doubt that Sunday's game will go ahead following a coronavirus breakout in the City squad that led to their game away to Everton last night being postponed.
"I don’t think it’s a coincidence," Lampard said when asked if there was a correlation between the injury to the right-sided attacker and his team's poor form.
"I can’t rely completely on it. You never know the level of how much you are affected even if it seems clear on points because that’s not something certain.
"But I think with Hakim, the way he was playing, he was being very effective for us in terms of assists, goal creation, chance creation and some goals. And also a real confidence in the way he was playing and we were very fluid at the time.
"He got injured against Leeds when we were in a great run of form, so I think it has been a point. You are going to miss players at that level when they drop out and we want him back."
Then asked how close Ziyech was to a return, Lampard added: "Where is he at? There is a possibility he could be fit for Manchester City if it goes ahead on Sunday. I will know that later in the week, but he is certainly progressing to the point where he is very close to fitness."
