He might not have been expected like Messi, but seeing Hakim Ziyech (27) evolve in his new colors made a lot of people impatient. Recruited during last season against 40 M €, the Moroccan international (34 caps, 14 goals) had to wait before knowing the Premier League games. Injured in the left knee during the preparation, he watched his new partners from the stands make a sluggish start to the championship. Newcomers like Werner, Havertz, Chilwell or Thiago Silva did not immediately find their marks. Now the defense is better stabilized and the offensive animation is taking shape, in particular thanks to the contribution of the former Ajax.
Ziyech had to wait until October 17 to take his first steps at Chelsea. It was against Southampton and despite the Saints’ equalizer in the dying moments, his entry into play was rather encouraging. These promises were quickly confirmed. Still a substitute against Sevilla and Manchester United but still first mover, he celebrated his first tenure with the Blues with a goal against Krasnodar in the Champions League (4-0) on Wednesday night. Again starting against Burnley in the Premier League (3-0) this weekend, he scored his first goal in the league, in addition to delivering an assist for Timo Werner. In this rather offensive 4-3-3, he seems to have already found his marks on the right side of the attack, perpetuating the great tradition of twirling wingers within the English club.
2 – Hakim Ziyech is the first player to score in both of his first two starts for Chelsea in all competitions since Diego Costa in August 2014. Arrival. #BURCHE pic.twitter.com/MHbBXefa1d
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 2020
Lampard is ravi de Ziyech
“Before, we had Eden Hazard. These kinds of players are not replaced on a whim. With Hakim we have the potential to have really different qualities than what we had before as he is left-handed and plays on the right side which was his main position at Ajax ” Frank Lampard explained after the drop success against the Clarets. “He can find a key pass, whereas sometimes last season we missed that when we were playing against teams that are defending in low block. We were spinning the ball. There, we go faster forward, before the teams are replaced. This is where Hakim makes the difference ”, rejoices the coach of the Blues.
Still looking for the right formula, Lampard will have to make choices in the coming weeks. There will be no room for everyone. Even if the matches are linked quickly, some elements will have to be content with a leaner playing time but, like Werner, Ziyech already seems indisputable in the mind of the former midfielder. “I am very impressed and really excited. I had been able to see his personality and all his work without the ball. I need players who can try to give us a turn and try to raise our level of play. “ Without a match since March and the end of competitions in the Netherlands, then injured this summer, the player manages to make himself indispensable without further delay. To the delight of the Blues.
