If you have turned on the football news anytime soon or been on the internet you couldn’t have missed the fact that Chelsea has signed Ajax stalwart, Hakim Ziyech. The 26-year-old Moroccan international, who will be joining at the start of the new season has claimed a fee of £33.3m which might go up to £36.7m if add-ons are calculated.
Ziyech was one of Lampard’s top targets this summer, scoring 8 goals and assisting a humongous 21 times in 30 games in this campaign. He has been hailed highly by leading Dutch journalists who believe he can carry on his skills at Stamford Bridge. He is a versatile player who can operate both from Attacking Midfield and his favoured Right Wing.
Chelsea’s signing of Ziyech comes at a time when they are going for wide players and trying to fill up the void created by Eden Hazard. With Pedro and Willian’s contract running out this summer, Lampard couldn’t have made a better deal even though he maintains this deal is not related to them. This is Lampard’s first signing since he got on the hot seat this summer and he hinted there could be more to come before the end of the season.
Looking at the team Ziyech will be at the top when selecting players for both Attacking Midfield or Right Wing with Mason Mount, Pulisic, Willian and Pedro being 2nd choices after him. To cement his position, he has to show Lampard why he can be the best to ‘unlock’ defences.
Lampard has been quoted saying, ‘I know his qualities,'. ‘He’s a player we hope can bring creativity. He first came to my attention watching him play in Ajax’s Champions League run last year and I thought he was one of their standout players, particularly in the games against Tottenham.’
‘This season, we’ve come up against him twice so I know a lot about him,’ added the boss. ‘He has a great left foot, plays generally off the right-hand side but can play in behind the frontman as well. When you look at us this season, there have been games where we’ve maybe struggled to unlock the door and he’s certainly a player who we hope can bring that bit of creativity. ‘He will be something different for us so we’re excited. I know he’s not coming in now but I think it’s exciting for us as a club and for the fans to know that he’ll be here next year.’
With the head coach going all praises even before the player has joined, he must be feeling eager to put on the Chelsea jersey from this summer.
Do you think Ziyech will be a great performer? If not, why?
Video: Hakim Ziyech ● All 36 Goals & Assists So Far 2018/19
Also Read: What happened to Ousmane Dembele?
