Former Ajax and Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal named Hakim Ziyech a “special player”.
Despite the 2019-20 campaign being put to a premature end in the Netherlands in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Ziyech’s route to west London, to Chelsea, has been cleared.
A contract has been set in motion to bring the 27-year-old to Stamford Bridge for €40 million, a big-money agreement.
Van Gaal wants Chelsea to find considerable value in their new player, with every reason to assume that the Blues have gained another fan favourite.
“He is a special player.” Van Gaal told NOS.
“He’s had considerable growth at Ajax. Not so much in imagination but as a squad leader,” Van Gaal said. “As a creative player, the audience has come to know he is working really hard. And then he makes goals and assists too.”
