da poker： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da 888casino： Hakim Ziyech turned in a masterclass performance as Ajax drew 4-4 with Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
On the chalkboard
Ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has recommended the Ajax schemer to club chairman Daniel Levy, per Voetbal Primeur, and fans will surely have taken notice of his exceptional showing in west London.
Per WhoScored, he had 57 touches of the ball and used them to good effect. He laid on two key passes, leading to two assists, and also took the free-kick that cannoned off the post, into the face of Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the net.
Ziyech also completed two dribbles and won two tackles as he attempted to help his side to a major victory.
As it was, Ajax took a 4-1 lead but were pegged back following two quick-fire red cards to Daley Blind and Joel Veltman.
Take it seriously
While Ziyech signed a new contract with the Dutch side in the summer, Van der Vaart’s recommendation suddenly looks all the more shrewd.
With Christian Eriksen appearing to sulk his way through the campaign – Ziyech registered more assists on one night than the Dane has all season – one feels that the Morocco international could be an excellent replacement for the playmaker.
It is not like Spurs don’t know about him, of course. Ziyech scored against them in the semi-final of the Champions League last season and netted a total of 21 goals while registering 24 assists in all competitions in 2018/19.
This season, already, the 26-year-old has six goals to his name and a staggering 14 assists.
If Spurs are to take Van der Vaart’s advice, they will not be able to trigger the €30m (£25.8m) release clause that did exist within Ziyech’s contract prior to his extension.
But on Tuesday, he showed that he could well be worth every penny of what will likely be a much larger eventual transfer fee. Levy ought to make some calls.