Leicester City Opinion: Hakim Ziyech can transform Leicester into a formidable force
According to Bleacher Report, Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Ajax playmaker Hakim Ziyech, with Leicester City also keen on bringing the Moroccan international to the Premier League in the summer.
Ziyech has been in exhilarating form for Ajax in the Eredivisie this term, registering 14 goals and 9 assists from 20 appearances. The 25-year-old has also been one of the driving forces behind Ajax’s march to the quarterfinals of the Champions League this term, scoring in the famous 4-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
A man no stranger to European competitions, the Moroccan proved once again that he is capable of delivering the goods against top-quality opposition at the biggest stage of it all.
The former Heerenveen and FC Twente star has a wonderful record for Ajax, having accumulated 37 goals and 52 assists from 116 appearances across all competitions.
The left-footed creative ace is currently one of the most underrated playmakers in Europe and a move to the Premier League would certainly be the next big step in his career.
Taking his creativity and versatility into account, he would be an excellent signing for any of the top teams in the Premier League. While signing Ziyech would provide Liverpool with a player in the mould of Philippe Coutinho, the Moroccan can be a marquee signing for Leicester City as well, with the Foxes yet to find an ideal replacement for Riyad Mahrez.
To put things into perspective, Leicester City can bag a massive coup by beating Liverpool to the signature of the immensely talented creative maestro next summer. The Foxes have lost most of their stars from the 2015-16 Premier League winning campaign to the bigger clubs and a player like Ziyech, who is just 25, can help them build a strong foundation for the years to come.
Predominantly a left-footed attacking midfielder by trade, Ziyech is capable of playing out wide on either flank and through the centre in a No.10 role. The Moroccan is renowned for his passing, vision, creativity, quick feet, crossing and sharpness and agility on the ball, whilst also possessing the tactical awareness to exploit the half-spaces and make subtle runs into the box.
A technically-gifted attacker oozing with finesse and elegance, Ziyech not only has the ability to produce defence-splitting through balls but he is a wonderful distance-shooter as well. Furthermore, his magical left foot can create plenty of chances from set-pieces and dead ball situations.
The Foxes signed Rachid Ghezzal from Monaco last summer as a like-for-like replacement for Mahrez but he hasn’t been able to live up to the expectations in the Premier League. Ziyech, on the other hand, is a much more complete player who can torment the opposition with his technical brilliance and quality on the ball. Undoubtedly, he seems more like the real deal for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City.
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With the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes already in their ranks, Leicester have some top-notch creative talent filled with youthful exuberance, and the acquisition of Hakim Ziyech will surely transform them into real contenders for a Europa League spot next season. And the Foxes can bag a double coup if they manage to sign Youri Tielemans permanently.
