Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is hopeful that Hakim Ziyech can make a big impact at Chelsea and improve the club’s goal productivity in the final third when he joins from Ajax at the end of the current campaign.
Ziyech’s impending switch to Stamford Bridge was confirmed this week after the two clubs agreed a £33M up-front fee plus £3.34 in add-ons for the 26-year-old Moroccan attacker.
In a news conference on Friday, Lampard outlined Ziyech’s qualities and revealed that he had tracked the player after he starred Ajax’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League Semi-final first-leg win over Tottenham Hotspurs at Wembley in May last year.
‘’Since then I’ve watched him a lot. He ticks lots of boxes and I’m delighted we are in a position where he’ll be our player next season.’’ Said Lampard.
‘’He’ll have to obviously fit in the way we want to work here…and the energy that we want in our team as everybody does, but the quality he’s got hopefully will be there for the fans to see.
‘’At times we have struggled to have the finishing touch and hopefully he can be part of that puzzle. I see a player that can hopefully have a big impact on the Premier League and our team.’’
Ziyech’s arrival seems to reduce chances of some players being at Stamford Bridge next season. However, the Chelsea boss insists that the deal does not affect the futures of Willian and Pedro.
‘’No it doesn’t. Those conversations are going on with both players. They’ve been both here in successful periods for this club. Both I’ve found out to be very professional and willing and wanting to work this year and help the younger players and obviously get results, which is the main thing.’’ Said Lampard.
‘’Regardless of what happens next, what they’ve done at this club is very well received from our end. We’ve brought in a quality player who can play in various positions so it certainly doesn’t have a one-on-one effect on any player. ’’
