Tottenham opinion: Should Spurs make a move for Hakim Ziyech?
English news outlet Daily Mail has reported that Tottenham have upped their interest in Ajax star Hakim Ziyech. It looks like the North London side are finally accepting the fact that they will lose Christian Eriksen in the summer.
The Danish playmaker has been linked with moves to both Manchester United (Manchester Evening News) and Real Madrid (Metro). The La Liga giants are the front-runners for Eriksen’s signature and thus it’s high time that Spurs start looking for a replacement.
They have been linked with moves for Donny Van De Beek (Calciomercato), Nicolo Zaniolo (Daily Mail) and Andre Gomes (ESPN) as potential options but it’s Hakim Ziyech who is the perfect choice. A part of a rather exceptional Ajax side this season, Ziyech has been their creative engine.
With Frenkie De Jong and Lasse Schone in the midfield, it allows both Ziyech and Van De Beek to move about freely. And the 26-year-old Moroccan international takes full advantage of that, using his guile and intelligence to always find open spaces.
His movement is incredible and the fact that he’s often used on the right-wing shows his versatility. Ziyech’s preferred position is as a number 10, which is where his true potential comes out.
Set-piece mastery, gorgeous passing and a rather incredible defensive work ethic are his trademark qualities. But times have changed and with it, the evolution of both tactics and creative attacking midfielders.
Eriksen has played every game in the Premier League this season barring three that he missed in the first half of the season.
However, things changed after December and finally, the 27-year-old found his footing. He’s contributed to 9 goals in the English top-tier, playing more as a roaming midfielder rather being static, as he was in the first half of the campaign.
Despite roaming about the pitch, the Danish star has contributed defensively as well, averaging one tackle a game. Hakim Ziyech, in comparison, has averaged 1.9 tackles along with his creative contributions.
It shows exactly why he would be perfect for the Premier League and furthermore, why he would be perfect to replace Christian Eriksen.
The move shouldn’t cost too much, especially given the fact that Hakim Ziyech has a £25million buy-out clause in his current contract.
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Conclusion
For one of the most creative midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues this season, a £25million release clause is absolutely ludicrous. Tottenham would be foolish not to activate the clause and if they don’t do it, then someone else definitely will.