How will Chelsea line up with Hakim Ziyech? The Blues have agreed a €45 million deal to sign Hakim Ziyech from Ajax this summer.
Despite overturning their transfer ban, Chelsea chose not to dip their feet in the transfer market. This angered Frank Lampard, who minced no words in claiming that the blues were the underdogs in the race for a top 4 spot following their non-activity in the transfer window.
Also read: Dani Ceballos reveals Jurgen Klopp was the reason why he chose Arsenal over Liverpool
The club have now completed the transfer of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech for for a fee worth around £38m (€45 m) according to De Telegraaf. He will play for Ajax for the remainder of the season before heading to London.
However, Chelsea’s deal to sign the 26-year-old attacking midfielder includes an ‘important condition’ that they must secure Champions League football.
Should the clause be met, Chelsea will immensely strengthen with his arrival. Ziyech is an extremely talented midfielder who can play in various positions including the left wing, behind the striker and even in the central midfield. Here are some of the ways the Blues can line-up with the highly rated Moroccan.
How will Chelsea line up with Hakim Ziyech?
Formation (1)-> 4-2-3-1
This is Frank Lampard’s preferred formation at Stamford Bridge. This formation allows the side to create space higher up at the cost of possession and has become a trademark of Lampard’s young side. There are a couple of ways that Chelsea can employ this formation.
In this formation, we play a back four of Cesar Azpilicueta on the left and Reece James on the right with Antoine Rudiger and Andreas Christensen playing between them. Jorginho and N’Golo Kante play ahead of the defence.
Should Kepa remain at the club next summer, he will likely remain the glovesman.
Tammy Abraham leads the attack while Mason Mount plays right behind him. Christian Pulisic plays on the left while new recruit Hakim Ziyech operates on the right wing.
Chelsea could also play Ziyech right behind Abraham while Callum Hudson-Odoi or Willian moves to the right wing. Mason Mount then drops down to partner Kante in the midfield.
Formation (2)-> 4-3-3
The 4-3-3 allows for more fluidity in the possession. The back four in this formation remains the same while Jorginho drops behind both Mount and Kante. Despite Kante earning his name and fame as deep lying pivot, Lampard loves to play him in more advanced positions.
The attacking three will be the same.
Considering Ziyech’s ability to play in the middle and his good defensive work, he could also partner Mount in the advanced midfield position with Kante then playing behind them.
Formation (3)-> 3-4-2-1
This is a formation that Chelsea do not employ all that often but are not above using when the time comes. Tammy Abraham remains the focal point of the attack while Pulisic and Ziyech play behind him as the attacking midfielders.
Either of Mount or Jorginho will partner Kante behind them while Azpilicueta and James play their part as Wing backs. Christensen, Rudiger and Zouma form the back 3 in this side.
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