Hakim Ziyech scored twice to upset Manchester United in midweek as the Chelsea loanee came back to haunt his former Ajax boss Erik ten Haag.
Hakim Ziyech was instrumental in halting Manchester United’s Champions League ambitions on Wednesday night.
The Galatasaray winger scored twice in the 3-3 draw in Istanbul, thanks to more goalkeeping blunders by Andre Onanas. The Moroccan is currently on loan in Turkey, having collapsed at Chelsea, where he appears to have no long-term future.
Ziyech signed to great acclaim having excelled at Ajax, but the 30-year-old secured a temporary exit in the summer after failing to find a permanent place at Stamford Bridge. And he confessed before even joining the Blues that he wanted to move to their London rivals.
Several years ago Zieych was asked which club he would like to represent in the future. He replied: “Well, I have two clubs. They are Arsenal and Barcelona. That is my ultimate dream.”
Arsenal were keen on the winger when his stock was at its peak before Chelsea made their move. It was Frank Lampard who signed the Moroccan, completing the deal mid-season before the player joined them in the summer. He produced quality moments in patches, but as coaches kept changing, he failed to enjoy consistent playing time.
And amid a lack of opportunities, Ziyech grew increasingly frustrated at not being able to secure a move elsewhere. A move to PSG was on the cards in January. However, despite the winger passing his medical, the Ligue 1 bosses were unwilling to give the green light to the transfer after the late submission of paperwork.
Months later, a move to Saudi Arabia, where several unwanted Chelsea players were going, also failed to materialize before Galatasaray finally sealed a move.
Ziyech’s future is likely to be up in the air again this summer unless the Turkish outfit make a permanent move. However, Arsenal and Real Madrid look very unlikely options now.
It was United boss Erik ten Hag who helped bring Zieg to the attention of Europe when Ajax began to make waves in the Champions League. The Dutch coach was at the center of the player’s quality on Wednesday night and said: “That’s Hakeem. Its brilliance, I know. In such zones he is excellent. Giving such fouls [to him] it’s very difficult to defend.”
Žižek, in what would be considered his best year, helped Ajax reach the top four of the Champions League. The 30-year-old scored 22 times during the 2018/19 season – by far his best run in front of goal. He scored twice against Real Madrid and Tottenham before Ajax exited Europe in dramatic fashion.
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