[ad_1]
Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Ajax star Hakim Ziyech isn’t sure what will happen in the summer regarding his future, as he’s said he will find it difficult to leave the Dutch giants.
The Morocco international has been enjoying another exceptional season in Amsterdam and has been a key player in the team’s run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Like a number of the players in this Ajax team, Ziyech has been tipped to possibly move on at the end of the season. Speaking to Inside Ajax (h/t Goal), the 26-year-old said no decision has been made yet.
“Anything is possible,” he said. “I am always someone who is very picky and there must be a club that I want to trade in for Ajax. That doesn’t just happen.”
As Goal relayed, rumours have intensified regarding potential interest in Ziyech, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich said to be among a number of admirers.
Ziyech joined Ajax in 2016 from Twente and has continued to progress. He is now rated as one of the standout players in the Dutch top flight, although he has shown he can shine on a bigger stage, too.
Despite their group-stage elimination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Ziyech performed well for Morocco in Russia. In recent weeks, he’s turned on the style in the Champions League, helping Ajax past holders Real Madrid and then Juventus, with a 2-1 win in Turin on Tuesday enough to set up a semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur (U.S. only):
Bleacher Report Live @brlive
Ajax went into the stadium of another European giant and took down Juventus in thrilling fashion ?
The Dutch club now heads to the #UCL semifinals ? https://t.co/vO13M0KTer
Per WhoScored.com, Ziyech had a creative influence on the game and has been an inventive presence throughout the Champions League run:
WhoScored.com @WhoScored
Hakim Ziyech: Created three big chances in Ajax’s 2-1 win over Juventus on Tuesday night; It now means that no player has created more clear-cut goalscoring opportunities than the Moroccan (7) in the Champions League this season
For more player stats — https://t.co/NMUIY8kjvn https://t.co/cvL7rFkDfL
It’s been a similar story domestically:
OptaJohan @OptaJohan
9 – Players with nine created chances in an Eredivisie game this season:
Hakim Ziyech (Excelsior v Ajax)
Hakim Ziyech (Ajax v De Graafschap)
Hakim Ziyech (Ajax v Excelsior)
Spray.
Ziyech can light up matches. He’s operated on both flanks and in midfield for Erik ten Hag’s team this season, but he can make an impression on games regardless of his positioning.
The 26-year-old uses the ball well, can dribble past opponents and is capable of special things with his left foot.
Football journalist Simon Kuper noted one area he can improve:
Simon Kuper @KuperSimon
Hakim Ziyech: brilliant footballer, terrible shooter, always shoots. #AJAJUV
Even so, he has been able to notch an eye-catching 15 goals and 12 assists in the Eredivisie this season. With some refinement in his game, Ziyech would be productive in one of European football’s top-five leagues.
While a number of players are poised to leave Ajax this summer—Frenkie de Jong has already agreed to sign for Barcelona—Ziyech doesn’t appear to have made a decision on his future yet. It would be a shock if there wasn’t significant interest in his services, though.
Share this post if you enjoyed! 🙂
Read more at this link (News Source).
