Farewell Pandemic Puppy: Hakim Ziyech completes Galatasaray transfer from Chelsea

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when most of us were stuck at home in lockdown, many families chose to reduce their feelings of isolation by adding a new furry four-legged member to their family unit.

And it was good.

But then as the world opened back up, many of these "pandemic puppies" (and adoptees) suddenly found themselves unwanted, sidelined, abandoned even.

And that was sad.

Chelsea's own pandemic puppy was Hakim Ziyech, his signing agreed just as our world started shutting down. Obviously, he was far from an actual pup, with extensive experience and excellent credentials. But the arrival of the three-time Ajax player of the year, "The Wizard of AMS", was seen as an excellent acquisition and a statement of intent for a club coming out of a transfer isolation ban.

And at first, it was good.

Ziyech took a minute to come up to speed after a multi-month break as the Eredivisie shuttered its doors early and canceled the rest of their season, but once he did, he wasted no time in showcasing that wand of a left foot, which could deliver pinpoint crosses to the far post for second runners to arrive and finish, or could pick out the top corner for Louvre-worthy moments. He would play a key role in our Champions League trophy-win in 2021 and continue to play even more regularly in his second season.

But then, our world opened up with events largely out of our control, and Ziyech found himself unwanted, unloved, abandoned even ... in a PSG office on a cold January night.

And that was sad.

Last summer, after yet another false start with supposed interest from the Saudi Pro League, Ziyech found himself a fur-ever home at Galatasaray, who fostered him with a promise to feed and pet him loan and obligation to make things permanent this summer (for free).

And that has now come to pass, with the 31-year-old announced officially as having completed his transfer to the Turkish champions. He made 23 appearances for them, scoring 8 goals last year. He leaves Chelsea with 107 appearances and 14 goals — and three continental trophies, including the Big Ears, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.

Farewell, the Wiz! Thanks for the memories.

Woof.