Chelsea confirmed speculation from Netherlands today by announcing that they have agreed to sign Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech in the summer.
BBC Sport understands that the Moroccan will move to Stamford Bridge, subject to agreeing personal terms, for an initial fee of 40m euros (£33.3m).
Ziyech had been widely tipped as a potential Christian Eriksen replacement and was even personally recommended to chairman Daniel Levy by Rafael van der Vaart, the Spurs cult hero told Voetbal Primeur, via Sky Sports.
Van der Vaart, also formerly of Ajax, was asked his feelings on Ziyech to Chelsea. His head thinks – ‘good move’, his heart says – ‘why not Spurs?’
“With the right coach”, is the bit that interests me, before VDV goes on to highlight Frank Lampard’s willingness to put his faith in creative players.
That has been a criticism levelled at Jose Mourinho in the past, that he would favour physical prowess over technical skill and a maverick instinct.
Indeed, with Ziyech seemingly available and affordable, Mourinho and the scouting team preferred to sign the stronger and quicker Steven Bergwijn to supplement similar attacking options that he already has at his disposal.
Ziyech may have been the perfect Eriksen replacement, as Van der Vaart once thought, but only under the previous regime and not Mourinho’s.