Incoming Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech has been described as a player who ‘has everything in the game’ and can ‘bring an extra dimension’ to the Blues’ attack.
Chelsea are said to have beaten off competition from Manchester United and Arsenal to agree a deal to sign the Moroccan star this summer.
The 26-year-old is expected to remain at Ajax for the rest of the season and complete his move to Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens – and for just £38million.
It comes after the Blues failed with a bid for the forward in January, and the deal has since been all-but confirmed by Ajax manager Erik ten Hag who told Fox Sports: “Ziyech to Chelsea? A transfer was coming, we expected it to happen.”
Ziyech has been outstanding in an Ajax shirt; he has scored 48 goals and provided 82 assists in 159 games for the Amsterdam club since arriving from Eredivisie rivals FC Twente in 2016.
And, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Tony Cascarino said Chelsea are ‘very, very lucky’ to have landed the Moroccan.
“Ziyech has got everything,” said the former Blues striker. “He’s a bit like Riyad Mahrez – he can dribble and go past you, he’s quite direct, he’s a great set piece taker, he has a fantastic assist record, he just sees passes.
“He’s just got everything in the game.
“I think he’s one hell of a talent and Chelsea would be very, very lucky to get him.
“He destroyed Real Madrid last year; he really played a big part in Ajax getting the better of Real at the Bernabeu.
“He’s a real talent who I think would be a fantastic addition to Chelsea.”
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan also told talkSPORT he is baffled there wasn’t more interest in the 26-year-old, who has lit up the Eredivisie since his move to Amsterdam in 2016.
The Morocco international, who was born in the Netherlands, finished last season with 21 goals and 24 assists, including two memorable strikes against Real Madrid to knock the defending champions out of Europe in the round-of-16.
And he has followed up his best-ever season with another productive campaign, with eight goals and 21 assists in 30 matches so far, including a stunning performance against the Blues in the Champions League group stages when he got three assists in the thrilling 4-4 draw.
And Van der Kraan says he’s a player Blues fans will love to watch at Stamford Bridge.
“I cannot actually believe no other club, not even Manchester City, have gone for him,” the Dutch reporter told Hawksbee and Jacobs.
“He’s that kind of player who gives an extra dimension to your football at the top, top level.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan on Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech – 'The fans will love him'
“If you think, ‘okay it’s the Dutch Eredivisie and we’ve seen players in the past who have failed to make an impression’ – Davy Klaassen was voted player of the year in Holland and yet at Everton he could hardly get in their side.
“But Hakim Ziyech has not only not it in the Dutch Eredivisie, he’s done it in Europe against Bayern Munich, against Juventus, against Real Madrid, against Chelsea, against Tottenham – in all the top games he’s been fantastic for the team.
“He’s got that, I wouldn’t call it arrogance, it’s a flair, where he says to an opponent, ‘you can try and get the ball off me but I’m the boss on this pitch’.
“I think the fans at Stamford Bridge will love to see that kind of player in their attack.”