Last week, Chelsea surprised the transfer world by securing the services of Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech for next season.
The London club wanted to bring the Morocco international in January, but the Eredivisie side’s reluctance to lose a star player midway through the season forced them to wait until it was shut to negotiate a summer move.
With that now done, and the player seemingly happy with his choice, it’s time for others to comment on the deal, like former Everton player Andy Van der Meyde.
Speaking to VTBL in Holland, the 40-year-old said, relayed by SoccerNews.nl: “It’s time for him to leave. Hakim is ready, he has to take the next step. The Eredivise is a training party for Ziyech. It makes sense that he looking for a new team. You need that as a top athlete.
“I just didn’t expect him to go to Chelsea. I don’t think it’s a top team nor a stable club. I would have expected Bayern Munich or something of that size. Of course, it could be the hierarchy under below Liverpool changes if Manchester City are really punished and maybe Chelsea will benefit from it and they will play for the prizes, but then again, if they play, I don’t think: ‘Wow, I’ll stay at home and watch’.”
Interesting words from the pundit and presenter, and there are many in London who will disagree with him.
After all, many see the deal for Ziyech as a good one, and the fact no one really came forward other than the Stamford Bridge club was a bit surprising.
Only time will tell if Van der Meyde is right, and it’ll be up to Frank Lampard, and the forward, to prove him wrong.
