Chelsea boss Frank Lampard chose to sign Hakim Ziyech over Christian Eriksen
Speaking on the Here We Go podcast (h/t The Express), transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea chose to sign Hakim Ziyech over Christian Eriksen.
The Moroccan international made his competitive debut for Chelsea yesterday against Southampton. He had been sidelined with an injury sustained during the pre-season friendly against Brighton.
Lampard believes Ziyech is the perfect addition to his Blues squad. His conviction in the midfielder is so high that he passed over a chance to sign Eriksen.
The Dane, now at Inter Milan, is a name familiar to fans of the Premier League. He spent a number of seasons at Tottenham Hotspur where he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the league.
According to the report, Inter were willing to cut ties with the 28-year-old just months after they signed him last January. The player was offered to Chelsea but the Blues refused to bite.
“Chelsea said no but the decision was more from Lampard than from the board. The decision to pass on the Dane was down to Lampard rather than the club.
“So he was not interested in signing another player with top quality as Eriksen because he said, ‘Our future, our present is Hakim Ziyech.’ That’s why Chelsea said no to Christian Eriksen.”
According to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (h/t The Express), Lampard has been left impressed with Ziyech in training.
Now that he is fit to feature once again, the hope is that Ziyech can replicate the form he has shown at Ajax Amsterdam.
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Chelsea fell prey to an injury-time equalizer against Southampton yesterday. The Blues have now dropped seven points from their first five games in the Premier League.