Former Manchester United and Netherlands national team coach Louis van Gaal has given plenty of praise to Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech unprompted. It came during his pre-match press conference for his nation's World Cup quarter-final tie against Argentina, where he may have laid down a challenge to Graham Potter.
It comes amid a struggle in domestic form for the forward, but a complete transformation on the international stage with Morocco. Since making the switch from Ajax, Ziyech is yet to grab hold of a place in the Chelsea team, but with his national team, he has helped guide them to an unlikely World Cup quarter-final tie with Portugal.
Former Blues star Joe Cole explained why that switch in form may happen, telling ITV: "He just looks like a happier player for Morocco. He’s had a very difficult time at Chelsea and he hasn’t had a rhythm to his game. The Premier League doesn’t suit him. It’s aggressive, up and down. Playing for Ajax he could hug the touchline and the team would very much play through the lines, give him the ball and he’s got a lovely left foot, comes inside and delivers the ball.
