The Blues have completed the first signing in the Frank Lampard era. On Thursday Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech became a Blue after the two clubs reached an agreement on a £40m deal. Last summer Chelsea had a transfer ban, which was withdrawn after a successful appeal, though they didn’t sign anyone in January. Lampard’s men are struggling this season in the league and their attacking play has come under scrutiny almost every week.
They have lost points at home to some weaker opponents and the boss has accepted that they should have killed many games earlier but they couldn’t. So This signing can bring some excitement to the blues fanbase because rightly so the player has been really an exciting attacking footballer for his current side Ajax.
So, let’s look at a few points that could prove Ziyech can be a good option in Chelsea’s attack next season.
1. Versatility
Hakim is a natural left-footed attacker who mainly plays on the right side and comes inside to his favourite left foot to produce chances and score goals and create assists. Although he can play on the left flank as well and produce crosses into the box.
“He has got a great left foot and plays generally off the right-hand side but can play behind the frontman. Probably when you look at us this season there have been games where we may have maybe struggled to unlock the door.”
“He is certainly a player we hope can bring that bit of creativity and something different for us. He scores goals, assists,” Lampard said on his first signing.
2. Age
At 26, Ziyech is getting to the peak of his career, it is absolutely right time for him to take a step into a big club where his qualities can win his team major trophies. He has won silverware at Ajax as well so his experience will be key for some younger players in the Chelsea squad.
3. Left-footer
Chelsea currently have no left-footed attacking player in the squad since Juan Mata left the club and we all know how special player he was for the blues back then. Willian, Pedro, Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi all are natural right-footed. So Lampard will have a different option in his attacking tactics when Ziyech joins the Blues in the summer.
4. Set-Piece Specialist
This has been a concern for the blues because they have struggled to score goals from free-kicks and corners. Ziyech scored an absolute belter in the recent match between Chelsea and Ajax at Stamford Bridge that proves how much quality he can bring when it matters in the dead ball situation.
5. Game-changer
There is no doubt to anyone what a special player Hakim Ziyech is for Ajax. He has single-handedly won points for the Dutch side in many games. His attacking display can lead to many crucial goals when it matters in the serious stages of a game. After Eden Hazard left the club last summer, Chelsea have struggled to find anyone who has the special something that wins big games.