Hakim Ziyech | Chelsea player

WeePat

Full Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2015
Messages
17,185
Supports
Chelsea
I couldn't find a current thread on Ziyech.

Amidst all the noise about Werner, Havertz and potentially further signings, this guy appears to have been forgotten a little bit.

Exciting player, who, at 27 years old, is in his prime right now. He won't have kicked a ball for 6 months by the time the new season kicks off, since the Dutch league prematurely ended the season in March, so I'm interested to see how that impacts the way he starts the season.


 
Last edited:

Pexbo

Winner of the 'I'm not reading that' medal.
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
68,412
Location
Brizzle
Supports
Big Days
No idea why but I had it in my head that he had already had a short spell in the EPL when he was younger at a club like Fulham or Southampton.
 

Nani Nana

Full Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Messages
5,646
Supports
Whoever won the game
No idea why but I had it in my head that he had already had a short spell in the EPL when he was younger at a club like Fulham or Southampton.
mixing it up with his Ajax team mate Dusan Tadic?
 

Superunknown

Full Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Messages
8,174
Chelsea are certainly signing some exciting players. May take a few games or weeks to get going, but potentially this will be a fun team to watch.
 

NinjaZombie

Punched the air when Liverpool beat City
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
10,119
We're optimistic about the future of Ole's team but I'd be feeling the same if I were a Chelsea fan too. They've got a cup final to look forward to, have a club legend leading them who've got them in the CL and they've made some good signings on top of that. The next few years are going to be interesting.
 

KennyBurner

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
4,673
Location
ATL
This guy might be Chelsea most important signing. He covers the playmaking aspect in the middle which they have lacked this season. Mount and kivacic don’t have the passing range or creativity like this guy. Don’t think havertz does either.

Giroud will benefit the most from his arrival. He knows how to whip it in real good.

on another note I wonder how Werner fits into the squad. As a lone forward or together with giroud/Tammy?
 

Superunknown

Full Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Messages
8,174
We're optimistic about the future of Ole's team but I'd be feeling the same if I were a Chelsea fan too. They've got a cup final to look forward to, have a club legend leading them who've got them in the CL and they've made some good signings on top of that. The next few years are going to be interesting.
Yeah, I would agree with that. The league finish for both teams is about right, too. The tricky thing is that it's going to be another difficult season with so many teams trying to get into that top 4. It should be another competitive season as teams improve.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

Full Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
6,502
Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Supports
Chelsea
This guy might be Chelsea most important signing. He covers the playmaking aspect in the middle which they have lacked this season. Mount and kivacic don’t have the passing range or creativity like this guy. Don’t think havertz does either.

Giroud will benefit the most from his arrival. He knows how to whip it in real good.

on another note I wonder how Werner fits into the squad. As a lone forward or together with giroud/Tammy?
Good post. No one else in our squad for next year has the ability to break down a low block the way Ziyech does.

Re: Werner, the word is that Lampard has told him he'll be playing as the 9 next year instead of in a more left-sided role as he's done at Leipzig. If Havertz comes to Chelsea, I could see a sort of skewed formation where Havertz steps up from a right-sided 8 to contest headers whilst Werner drops deeper into midfield to pick up on second balls. Obviously this is all conjecture but it'll be interesting to see how Lampard adapts the team.
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2017
Messages
2,824
High risk, high reward player not unlike Bruno except mostly operating from wide areas and drifting inside. He'll try lots of things that won't come off but he has such wonderful technique and vision that he'll always end up creating something. His crosses to Pulisic at the back post from the edge of the box are going to be deadly, I can already see it.
 
Last edited:

charlenefan

Far less insightful than the other Charley
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
33,052
He's the one I'm envious of Chelsea signing, couldn't give two shits about Werner and haven't seen Havertz to pass judgement on but Ziyech was pure class at Ajax

Just a shame the Chelsea fans on here will turn my like of him to hate :(
 

KennyBurner

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
4,673
Location
ATL
Good post. No one else in our squad for next year has the ability to break down a low block the way Ziyech does.

Re: Werner, the word is that Lampard has told him he'll be playing as the 9 next year instead of in a more left-sided role as he's done at Leipzig. If Havertz comes to Chelsea, I could see a sort of skewed formation where Havertz steps up from a right-sided 8 to contest headers whilst Werner drops deeper into midfield to pick up on second balls. Obviously this is all conjecture but it'll be interesting to see how Lampard adapts the team.
You guys have done well because there is so much depth which is what we lack at United. You have 3 attacking option in Giroud, Tammy and Werner. Pulisic, Cho, willian( I’m predicting he stays for an extra year because he is quality even if most of you don’t appreciate him) for the wings. Also Pedro is leaving which means Willian is still needed. Havertz and mount for the center. That’s insane depth so far.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

Full Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
6,502
Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Supports
Chelsea
You guys have done well because there is so much depth which is what we lack at United. You have 3 attacking option in Giroud, Tammy and Werner. Pulisic, Cho, willian( I’m predicting he stays for an extra year because he is quality even if most of you don’t appreciate him) for the wings. Also Pedro is leaving which means Willian is still needed. Havertz and mount for the center. That’s insane depth so far.
I agree - right now I think United's first XI is better than ours but our second XI blows yours out of the water.
 

kaiser1

Full Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2018
Messages
1,949
Supports
Bayern Munich
Is he like another Mahrez in play style? The few I have seen of him, he plays from the right side and has a wand of a left foot
 

Pow

New Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2015
Messages
3,516
Location
Somewhere
Supports
Chelsea
Is he like another Mahrez in play style? The few I have seen of him, he plays from the right side and has a wand of a left foot
Id say mahrez is a better dribbler but ziyech delivery and passing is superior.
 

Pav1878

Full Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Messages
1,121
Really wanted this guy at United. Great player, both in technique and work rate.
Worried about Chelsea, especially if they get a CB
 

charlenefan

Far less insightful than the other Charley
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
33,052
I agree - right now I think United's first XI is better than ours but our second XI blows yours out of the water.
Surely an indication of this would be the league cup game at your ground which we won pretty comfortably? That night we played Romero, Rojo, Williams, McTominay, Fred, James and Lingard (so only 4 players in Rashford, AWB, Lindelof and Maguire who would be considered first choice)

Chelsea played Caballero, James, Guehi (who?), Gilmour, Jorginho, CHO and Batshuayi (with your regulars that night being Zouma, Alonso, Pulisic and Kovacic)
 

Adisa

likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
50,309
Location
Birmingham
Surprised to hear he's 27. Thought he was a lot younger.
 

Canagel

Full Member
Joined
May 26, 2016
Messages
13,888
Absolute baller. I wanted him from 2 years ago, his numbers in Holland are crazy ( a creative machine ) and proven in the CL too .

Will easily be a top 3 playmaker in England
 

TheMagicFoolBus

Full Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
6,502
Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Supports
Chelsea
Surely an indication of this would be the league cup game at your ground which we won pretty comfortably? That night we played Romero, Rojo, Williams, McTominay, Fred, James and Lingard (so only 4 players in Rashford, AWB, Lindelof and Maguire who would be considered first choice)

Chelsea played Caballero, James, Guehi (who?), Gilmour, Jorginho, CHO and Batshuayi (with your regulars that night being Zouma, Alonso, Pulisic and Kovacic)
Fair point - blows out of the water is perhaps over the top. That said, it was a closely contested match and I'd be hesitant to put too much stock in that one result. I do think our backups are better than yours all things considered.
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,336
Location
india
Absolute baller. I wanted him from 2 years ago, his numbers in Holland are crazy ( a creative machine ) and proven in the CL too .

Will easily be a top 3 playmaker in England
Easily ? So it'll KDB, Fernandes and.. Ziyech? Better than Bernardo Silva? I think Silva is brilliant even if he doesn't get eye catching goals and assists. From what I hear Ziyech is more like ADM at his Madrid phase. Creative, lots of energy but also gives the ball away and can be loose etc
 

charlenefan

Far less insightful than the other Charley
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
33,052
Fair point - blows out of the water is perhaps over the top. That said, it was a closely contested match and I'd be hesitant to put too much stock in that one result. I do think our backups are better than yours all things considered.
Well that result is obviously more factual than your opinion :smirk:;):angel:
 

Charlie Foley

Full Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
18,308
Personally I’m waiting for redcafe’s official top analyst Open Goal for his expert analysis before I dare to comment or offer an opinion.

Chelsea’s attack is looking really strong. Obviously there are still major questions at the back. If no investment is made in that area, I guess their hope is the serious threat of their attack deters teams from coming out to attack them. On the flip side would a dodgy back line make Chelsea’s midfield more hesitant going forward (United have had this issue). Depends how brave teams are willing to be, or how all these new parts fit together which we don’t know, or if there’s an effective way to keep them out: if I recall Chelsea were looking really good under Big Phil in 08/09 until teams worked out shutting down the full backs (I think Cole and Boswinga) really limited their attack.

Lampard hasn’t shown me anything in his short managerial career that suggests he’s worked out how to coach a team off the ball at all. So he either needs a good specific coach, or to find a ready made leader. He’s a smart guy though, he could do good things with these midfield/attacking players he’s bringing in.

speaking of former Ajax players I’m interested to see how Dolberg will do his second year in France. At least he has his watch back.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

Full Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
6,502
Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Supports
Chelsea
Easily ? So it'll KDB, Fernandes and.. Ziyech? Better than Bernardo Silva? I think Silva is brilliant even if he doesn't get eye catching goals and assists. From what I hear Ziyech is more like ADM at his Madrid phase. Creative, lots of energy but also gives the ball away and can be loose etc
To be fair, Ziyech's performances in the CL last year were beyond anything Bruno or Bernardo have produced given the level of the opposition. There are questions over whether Ziyech can sustain it over a season in the PL, but he's coming off being literally the only player ever to win Ajax's player of the year award for 3 years running. Him being "easily" better is OTT but I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest he'll be among the elite in England at that position.

Well that result is obviously more factual than your opinion :smirk:;):angel:
Considering my opinions aren't worth the bytes they're written on, this isn't surprising!!
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,336
Location
india
To be fair, Ziyech's performances in the CL last year were beyond anything Bruno or Bernardo have produced given the level of the opposition.
So were Tadic's and he's not worth lacing Silva's boots really. Cup competitions aren't a great measure IMO.
 

TheMagicFoolBus

Full Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2016
Messages
6,502
Location
Lisboa, Portugal
Supports
Chelsea
Personally I’m waiting for redcafe’s official top analyst Open Goal for his expert analysis before I dare to comment or offer an opinion.

Chelsea’s attack is looking really strong. Obviously there are still major questions at the back. If no investment is made in that area, I guess their hope is the serious threat of their attack deters teams from coming out to attack them. On the flip side would a dodgy back line make Chelsea’s midfield more hesitant going forward (United have had this issue). Depends how brave teams are willing to be, or how all these new parts fit together which we don’t know, or if there’s an effective way to keep them out: if I recall Chelsea were looking really good under Big Phil in 08/09 until teams worked out shutting down the full backs (I think Cole and Boswinga) really limited their attack.

Lampard hasn’t shown me anything in his short managerial career that suggests he’s worked out how to coach a team off the ball at all. So he either needs a good specific coach, or to find a ready made leader. He’s a smart guy though, he could do good things with these midfield/attacking players he’s bringing in.

speaking of former Ajax players I’m interested to see how Dolberg will do his second year in France. At least he has his watch back.
We were third in successful pressures despite being third in possession. Personally I think our approach out of possession is quite good and we're just unfortunate enough to have the worst goalkeeper in the history of the PL.

So were Tadic's and he's not worth lacing Silva's boots really. Cup competitions aren't a great measure IMO.
Fair enough, but Ziyech won PotY 3 times in a row at Ajax including a year where they made the CL semis and when they had De Jong and De Ligt. Hard to argue his performances in the CL were out of line with the rest of his season on that basis.
 

charlenefan

Far less insightful than the other Charley
Joined
Aug 17, 2005
Messages
33,052
How we never tried to sign this guy is beyond me. Would have suited our squad to a tee.
Playing where? RW over Sancho or Greenwood? Nah
Number 10 over Bruno? Nah. Would he be happy to be Bruno's backup? Unlikely

Classy player but you can't sign them all
 

Sjaakmeoff

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
867
Location
Netherlands
Passer, creator, goalscorer, pressing machine.

Really interesting to see if Chelsea will become another high-pressing team. They are buying the players for it.

 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,336
Location
india
Passer, creator, goalscorer, pressing machine.

Really interesting to see if Chelsea will become another high-pressing team. They are buying the players for it.

I like Lampard s style of play and he's buying players that suit it.
 

Fussball13251

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Messages
525
Is he like another Mahrez in play style? The few I have seen of him, he plays from the right side and has a wand of a left foot
He's a technical player like Mahrez, Rubin Nevez, Bruno, etc. Technical box to box payer. He's a player I recommended we sign. You could play him as CF. His passing is sublime. We'll see what he does at Chelsea.
 
Last edited:

troylocker

Full Member
Joined
May 2, 2019
Messages
2,499
I was a little skeptical to him before, when it came to mentality and his tendency to go missing when Ajax where struggling, but I think he has matured a lot the last couple of seasons and his skillset is fantastic. I fear he will be pure class for Chelsea and a massive signing for them. Werner might hit the ground running as well, but I think Havertz will need some time to adapt... Chelsea has had a phenomenal window so far, and their attack now looks formidable with quality backup in every spot. Let’s hope they dont find a quality CB as well.
 

UweBein

Creator of the Worst Analogy on the Internet.
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Messages
3,729
Location
Köln
Supports
Chelsea
I expect him to flop dearly at Chelsea. He will face a new reality of football in the PL.
Fatigue will catch up with him quickly and subsequently his unquestionable brilliance will vanish.
 

Cassidy

No longer at risk of being mistaken for a Scouser
Joined
Oct 2, 2013
Messages
31,029
I expect him to flop dearly at Chelsea. He will face a new reality of football in the PL.
Fatigue will catch up with him quickly and subsequently his unquestionable brilliance will vanish.
Honestly?
 

DoomSlayer

New Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2019
Messages
4,875
Location
Bulgaria
Playing where? RW over Sancho or Greenwood? Nah
Number 10 over Bruno? Nah. Would he be happy to be Bruno's backup? Unlikely

Classy player but you can't sign them all
Like I said, perfect player for our squad and style of play. Left-footed (we lack those, apart from Mata, who is physically done at the top level), aggressive and with high work-rate (perfect for a modern pressing-based attacking style), technically sublime on the ball, both in dribbling and passing.

This guy would have taken our attack to the next level, without us having to spend £100m+.
 

KennyBurner

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
4,673
Location
ATL
Yes.... but, I have to admit, I was always against buying him. So, my bias plays a role in that opinion.
what dont you like about him in particular? Id say he isnt as pacy as I thought he was but still looks good technically.