From Netherlands: Seasons likely to be completed – Could impact Ziyech to Chelsea

De Telegraaf has on Monday afternoon taken a lengthy look at what’s going to happen with football in Europe, and the scenarios which seem likeliest.

The Dutch newspaper are insistent that finishing games left in the current season will be a priority, given all the contractual obligations and finances involved.

That means the ‘likely scenario’ is competitions being postponed, rather than cancelled, with the suggestion agreement could come on a European level, via the UEFA talks on Tuesday.

It’s at this point that they bring in the Hakim Ziyech to Chelsea transfer, to explain that he’s contractually obliged to move to the Premier League club from Ajax on July 1st.

Given there’s a reasonable chance the season won’t have finished by that date, it’s explained he obviously wouldn’t be able to play for both Chelsea and Ajax, and therefore he may not be able to play for either.

In theory, if that was the agreement, he wouldn’t be able to play in matches of the current season which ultimately take place from July 1st.

This isn’t set in stone, of course, and is just one scenario which could play out, but it presents a very real problem for UEFA, with Ziyech not the only player potentially impacted, and Chelsea and Ajax not the only clubs.

Chelsea have players with contracts expiring at the end of June, including Olivier Giroud, and more out on loan, who by the letter of their contract would be due back.