Last Thursday it was exactly a year ago that Chelsea fans were introduced to a dazzling Hakim Ziyech. In the crazy Champions League match of Ajax in London (4-4), the creative playmaker gave two assists and it was his turning free kick that plunged into goal via the post and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
A few months later, Chelsea bought the Moroccan international for forty million euros. Those same fans were looking forward to seeing one of the big summer purchases shine at Stamford Bridge, just like it did on November 5, 2019, but in blue.
After a knee injury sustained in his first (practice) game, Ziyech slowly reached his level. Tonight, in the Premier League game against Sheffield United, he will most likely get a starting place again, a free roll from the right.
Trademark
“Ziyech could become one of the most entertaining players of this season,” former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke analyzed in August for the English league. “With his dangerous left foot, he has the ability to create something from scratch.”
This turned out to be two weeks later with Ziyech’s unofficial debut in a friendly match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Already after three minutes he showed his trademark: a dangerous turning and barely defensible cross, from which Chelsea scored.
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