[ad_1]
Hakim Ziyech was the star of the show when Chelsea rallied to beat Sheffield United 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night.
The visitors took an early lead through David McGoldrick, scoring his fourth Premier League goal (three of which came against Chelsea) to end the Blues’ clean sheet streak.
Ziyech could have some blame for the goal, as both he and N’Golo Kante disconnected after a corner kick, allowing George Baldock to reach the end of an inverted ball and launch a cross into the box.
However, the Moroccan was more than redeemed.
Ziyech for Chelsea vs. Sheff Utd:
◉ More opportunities created (6)
◉ Most fouls won (4)
◉ More assists (2)What a signing. pic.twitter.com/NFDQggfUva
– Squawka Soccer (@Squawka) November 7, 2020
When Chelsea dominated the transfer market in the recent window, signing players like Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, Ziyech’s name was sometimes forgotten. That’s because, despite being the window’s first official signing, Ziyech’s move was announced in February as Chelsea worked quickly to rebuild their attack.
Ziyech also had to wait longer to make his official Chelsea debut, 238 days between his announcement and his arrival, in fact due to an injury he sustained in the preseason against Brighton.
Even when Ziyech made his debut, as a substitute against Southampton in October, it was a slow start as the Moroccan looked to get back in top form. And now that she’s fully fit, Chelsea is reaping the rewards.
He already showed what he was capable of in a 3-0 win over Burnley last weekend, scoring a goal and recording another assist, but this was a more complete match.
Starting on the right hand side of Chelsea’s 4-3-3, Ziyech was the Blues’ most dangerous attacking outlet and Sheffield United didn’t seem to know how to deal with him once he got underway.
The Moroccan has already achieved an excellent understanding with Reece James, and the association may be one of the best in the league. The way Ziyech plays, tucking in slightly, often gives him two options when he receives the ball; or he can pass the overlapping James to throw the ball into the box, or he can create something with his left foot wand.
Chelsea’s draw came from the latter, but not directly. This time it was a fly ball over the Sheffield United defense for Mateo Kovacic, who then handed it back to Tammy Abraham to score. It will never count as an assist from Ziyech, but without the Moroccan’s left foot and vision, Chelsea would not have drawn.
However, he got the assist for Chelsea’s second from Chilwell. It again came through on his left foot, just tucked in from the flank, receiving a corner. Somehow unmarked and unchallenged by any Sheffield United player, Ziyech curled the ball toward the far post where Chilwell ran.
And although the left-back was about to dodge the ball, afraid of being hit by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Ziyech’s center was so perfect that he only needed to rebound off Chilwell to give Chelsea the lead.
Hakim Ziyech vs Sheffield United pass map
But Ziyech was not only dangerous in the preparation of the goals. The Moroccan spread the ball across the field with ease, helping to change the game and stretch Sheffield United’s defense. Only a few passes, often exchanged with James, were from close range and as of the 77th minute only Mendy and Silva had not received a pass from Ziyech from the Chelsea starters.
The 27-year-old hit the latter with another delicious cross into the box, this time from a set piece, to prepare Silva’s first goal for the club. The position was similar to that from which Ziyech mounted Kepa Arrizabalaga’s own goal for Ajax against Chelsea in the Champions League last season, but this time Silva and the Blues were the benefactors.
Moments later, Ziyech was working his magic again, with another ball over defense for Werner and he should have gotten his assists hat-trick. However, the German forward’s shot on Ramsdale was simply deflected, indicative of the indifferent play Werner had (although he scored shortly after).
Ziyech had to settle for just the two assists, but he added to his against Burnley last weekend, to steer clear of Chilwell as Chelsea’s most creative player in the Premier League this season. And that’s despite the fact that he played only 190 minutes. On average, Ziyech is creating 3.79 opportunities per 90 minutes and recording 1.42 assists per 90 minutes. Among the rest of the Premier League, no player who has played at least 150 minutes has a better assists average, while only Kevin De Bruyne (4.24) is creating more chances per 90.
Despite performances by Werner, Chilwell, Silva and particularly Mendy, at this point it would be difficult to argue against Ziyech being Chelsea’s best signing of the summer. But the important thing now is that it builds on it, with the international break perhaps coming at the wrong time for the Moroccan and Chelsea.
When they return, it will be a difficult journey to Newcastle United in the Premier League, before they have a chance to secure their spot in the Champions League tie against Rennes. Then a fiery London derby against José Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur. What better way for Ziyech to further cement his place in the hearts of Chelsea fans.
[ad_2]
