Chelsea have spent £37 million in order to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and the Moroccon international is set to join the club in the coming few months.
Most people have really high hopes from the 27-year-old and according to former Blues man Jesper Gronkjaer, the winger is bound to succeed at Stamford Bridge but at the same time, the winger will be given absolutely no time to cosy himself to the English Premier League.
“Ziyech was the one who has caught my eye over the past two seasons even though he wasn’t produced by Ajax’s academy,” Gronkjaer told Goal. “You need players like that. I think all the top clubs will have looked at Ziyech and asked the question if he is good enough for our team.
“He is a fantastic player but I think for Chelsea he will be in the starting XI straight away.
“Almost all the clubs in the Premier League could afford someone like Ziyech. Newcastle will be right up there competing in the market again. It is a good signing and he will start a lot. Also, we still have yet to see the true potential of Christian Pulisic as well because he is going to be a great player as well. So those are things to look forward to at Chelsea.
“Adapting to the Premier League is more of a mental challenge than anything else.
“When you play for Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV then you are in teams that dominate possession, create chances and score lots of goals all the time.
“There’s a lot more space too. Now, in the Premier League, the learning curve isn’t there and you have to produce from day one. It is more physical and faster but now compared to my day, it is more technical. You have lots of skilful players and every team have great technicians which makes it easier.”
Can Hakim Ziyech crumble under the English pressure?
A lot of big names have crumbled under the pressure and limelight of the English top division and some experts feel, the name of Hakim Ziyceh could be added to this list pretty soon.
Ziyech has been a top player for Ajax ever since he joined the club in 2016 and this season, he has racked up 13 assists in just 21 Eredivisie appearances for the Amsterdam side.
But with Chelsea set to lose both Willian and Pedro in the summer, Ziyech will be thrown directly into the thick of things by his new manager next season.
Usually, new arrivals get time to settle down into the squad and get to know his teammates during the summer break but that too will not be possible as the pre-season is expected to be cut really short this time around.
Hakim Ziyech is the type of players who likes the ball at his feet at any given time but if he wants to succeed at Chelsea, the winger will have to adapt to a more team-game since apart from him, Chelsea boast a number of other superstars as well.
Stats via TransferMarkt.
