BEHIND every great player, there’s often a sad story that sparks their epic rise.
Chelsea new boy Hakim Ziyech is no different.
Chelsea have signed Ajax bad boy Hakim Ziyech for £37mCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ziyech had a troubled childhood when his dad died aged 10Credit: Instagram
The Blues have confirmed that the mercurial midfielder will be signing from Ajax for £37million, a modest fee by today’s standards.
He exploded on the scene last season alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong for the Dutch champions on their epic run to the Champions League semi final last season.
But before all of that, when he was a youngster, he had to overcome the heartbreak of losing his father.
When Ziyech, 26, was just 10 his dad died following a battle with a long-term illness.
From that day, he made it his mission to become a professional footballer and support his family after dropping out of school aged just 16.
ONE OF EIGHT
Ziyech was born in sleepy Dronten, a Dutch town that boasts a population of around 40,000 people.
The youngest of eight children, his dad was Dutch, while his mum is Moroccan.
By the age of five, Ziyech discovered football – playing late in the evenings on the streets with his brothers.
He joined local clubs SV REEAL Dronten and ASV Dronten, as his passion for the game began to take over his life.
But in 2003, his life was turned upside down when his father passed away after suffering with an illness for much of Ziyech’s childhood.
When Ziyech signed for Heerenveen aged 14 he was still suffering the trauma of losing his dad to a serious illnessCredit: SC Heerenveen
He was left distraught, and soon it affected his school life – as he reportedly played truant while his mother was left to pick up the pieces and provide for the family on benefits.
SALVATION IN FOOTBALL
By the age of 14, Ziyech was determined to become a professional footballer – and wanted nothing else.
He got his big break joining SC Heerenveen in 2008, but still scarred by the loss of his dad he got himself into bother there.
Often snappy towards his teammates and coaches, Ziyech was perceived to be the problem child, although blessed with talent.
Soon, with the help of mentor Aziz Doufikar, the first Moroccan player to play in Holland, Ziyech broke into the Heerenveen first team.
He became the father-figure Ziyech craved, guiding his career forward after he quit school aged 16.
Ziyech, who has seven siblings, was raised by a single mother on benefitsCredit: Instagram
His ego almost got the better of Ziyech at HeerenveenCredit: Instagram
READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
With Doufikar in his ear, Ziyech rose through the ranks at Heerenveen, until he was handed his debut against NEC Nijmegen in 2012.
The youngster impressed in a wide role providing a creative spark, plenty of energy and a knack for scoring goals – 11 in his 36 games there.
Within two years, he was on to bigger and better things – joining FC Twente in 2014 on a three-year contract, where he was handed the No10 shirt.
In his first season he bagged 15 goals in all competitions, and his reward the following year was to be named club captain.
Soon, with the help of mentor Aziz Doufikar, Ziyech broke into the Heerenveen first teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ziyech impressed at Heerenveen and was soon transferred to FC TwenteCredit: Getty – Contributor
BUT IT ENDED IN TEARS
Now given a platform as team leader to vent his frustration, outspoken Ziyech got himself into bother just five months into his captaincy.
Linked with a move elsewhere, he publicly dissed the club and its ambition – handing in a transfer request.
He was soon stripped of the captaincy, in what was an unfortunate final year at FC Twente.
However, he didn’t let that distract from his performances on the pitch. He recorded 17 goals and assisted 10 more.
Ziyech was handed the captaincy at FC Twente until it was stripped off himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
AJAX FOR £10MILLION
In 2016, impressed by Ziyech’s rise, Ajax paid a fee believed to be in the region of £10million for the attacking midfielder.
Just a month into life in Amsterdam, he was sent off in a Europa League tie against Panathinaikos.
But it was his goals that won fans around, despite his tempestuous nature and bold ego.
10 in his first season, and nine in his second showed he was capable of playing for a big club.
But the best was yet to come.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PEDIGREE
If there’s one thing that’s clear with Ziyech, it’s that he loves a challenge.
Last season he came alive in the Champions League, when Ajax faced their toughest tests.
He scored twice against Real Madrid, once in a 2-1 loss and then in the epic 4-1 win in the second leg that saw the holders knocked out at the quarter-final stage.
Last season Ziyech exploded onto the scene with AjaxCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Champions League has been Ziyech’s favourite competition, scoring against Real Madrid, Tottenham and ChelseaCredit: Instagram
Frank Lampard may have scored a bargain with £38m ZiyechCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And against Tottenham in the semi-final, Ziyech assisted the only goal in the first leg, and scored again in the second leg as the Dutch giants brave run in the competition finally came to an end.
He finished the season with 21 in all competitions. His best return yet.
This season he was scourge of Chelsea, starring in Ajax’s 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Blues boss Frank Lampard has seen first-hand what Ziyech can offer, and there’s no doubt it encouraged him to make his move for the talent.
And who better than former midfielder Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time top scorer, to guide Ziyech’s career next season.
Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech is wanted by a host of Premier League sides – here is why
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
