CHELSEA lost one of their best ever players in the summer, and they have yet to replace him.
Eden Hazard left a real void in the Chelsea team after joining his boyhood club Real Madrid, a void that in my opinion can never be filled.
Ziyech could be the perfect replacement for Robben 13 years on
Hazard is a rare specimen. Like Cristiano Ronaldo and your Lionel Messi, there will never be another.
But when talking about replacing players, you aren’t necessarily looking for a carbon copy of said player.
Perhaps instead just someone with the ability to change a game in an instant, or has that extra bit about their game that can change the dynamics of a match.
Chelsea’s impending new signing Hakim Ziyech is no Hazard replacement, but he certainly has the ability to change a game in an instant.
So if we are talking about direct replacements, in Ziyech, Chelsea have finally replaced in my view, one of their greatest ever wingers in Arjen Robben.
Just like Ziyech, Robben learned his trade in the Dutch league, and really made a name for himself when he arrived at Chelsea.
The Holland international was phenomenal for Chelsea and gave them a rare element to the attack that is absolutely priceless – a left-footed winger playing on the right wing with pace, skill, and a dangerous shot cutting in from the right.
Ever since he left the club, Chelsea have never had a player like him.
Talking about voids in the team never being replaced, Robben’s void was massive.
He would glide past defenders at ease, and despite them doing their all to keep him on his weaker foot, he would always manage to find that bit of space to get his shot away, and it often nestled in the back of the net.
It is a real weapon to have, and with Hazard over recent years Chelsea have had a strong left hand side, but a weak right, and the imbalance in attack was so clear.
Hazard would get heavily marked, whilst the right hand side would often be ignored because it did not carry the same threat.
VOID FILLED
Now, with the arrival of Ziyech, Chelsea have finally filled that void on the right, and have that extra attacking weapon.
He has an incredibly dangerous left foot, whether it is shooting or crossing, he has the ability to beat a couple of players and score a goal, or get an assist.
If the team are under the cosh, or need to break down a stubborn defence, Ziyech is the one who will provide the goods.
He has that extra bit about his game, just like Robben did.
His stats speak for themselves. Since the 2016-17 season Ziyech has made 163 appearances, scoring 50 goals and getting 83 assists.
That really is something special in an attacking sense and there is no doubt that he will bring the added quality that Frank Lampard has been asking for in his attack this season.
And you do wonder, having played alongside Robben in a successful Chelsea side, could Lampard also be looking at the similarities between him and Ziyech?
It’s very likely.
Chelsea sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax and look to add Sancho, Bellingham and Dembele in summer transfer spree as Lampard eyes title bid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
