



Chelsea just signed Hakim Ziyech for 40 million Euros and there are a few topics I'd like to discuss regarding this signing.



1. Ziyech's age:



It's easy to look at his age and say: Why is he still playing at Ajax, most players at 26 years of age with the aspiration of playing at a club like Chelsea should already be there otherwise something went wrong. But it's easy to forget that the anomaly is guys like Mbappé, Sancho, De Ligt, João Félix being superstars before their 21rst birthday. It is completely normal for a player to ascend in his career like Ziyech did. I don't put much stock into the argument that if he's still there is because of a reason and a Giant like Chelsea shouldn't pursue him.





2. Ziyech's fee:



The 40 million Euros figure might seem a bit odd based on what he did since the beginning of last season and the current market teams operate in, but based on his age and the lack of a bidding war it seems to me like a fair amount, it may prove to be a bargain or an expensive failure but at this point it strikes me as a reasonable fee.





Another great deal by Marina Granovskaia who deserves a lot of credit for not breaking the bank for mediocre players, instead signing the right guy for the right price





3. Chelsea's attacking situation:



With the impasse in the renewal of Willian's contract this signing gives Chelsea a lot of leverage because with Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi the Blues don't necessarily need to bring back the Brazilian playmaker although that's still a good idea and probably what they will end up doing.





4. Ziyech's production:



Since joining Twente during the 2014-15 season the Moroccan attacking midfielder has delivered 71 goals and 76 assists in 172 games over five and a half seasons. That's a little under a goal per game that he is responsible for. The Eredivisie might be weak but his 7 goals and 10 assists in the Champions League since the beginning of the 18/19 season prove that he can do it in the biggest stage.





Like with any of these deals there is some risk in them but looking at all of the variables I believe this is a very good signing for the Blues and it will provide them with a interesting attacking option next season.





A little note: with Giroud basically being a non factor since Frank Lampard arrived, Ziyech will be the only left-footed player on the squad that's not a left back.





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