It’s no surprise Hakim Ziyech’s expected move to Chelsea is all over Thursday’s edition of De Telegraaf.
The Dutch newspaper were one of several media outlets in the Netherlands who went with the claims on Wednesday afternoon, to then be followed by others in England.
De Telegraaf goes over the €45m that Chelsea are to pay, and they point out the player himself still needs to finalise his term and then sign a five year contract.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue, and therefore the completion of Ziyech’s exit from Ajax is ‘no longer far away’.
The transfer is considered a ‘major loss’ for the Eredivisie, and it’s explained the Premier League will be welcoming a ‘gem’.
Some Ajax fans are said to believe Ziyech should be moving for something like €70-80m, similar to the big Ajax exits last summer.
The Dutch media, meanwhile, try and present it as a win for Marc Overmars. Ajax’s sporting director loves a little forced PR, and it’s again explained that Ziyech once had a €30m release clause, so €45m is pretty good.
Despite all of that, it’s quite possible there’s been worries about Ziyech’s ability to settle at his next club, given he’s sometimes struggled to work in a system, and to show his best form whilst obeying the orders of his manager.
He came into his own at Ajax when given much more freedom, and Chelsea may not be able to provide him with the same from the start.
