Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has been warned new signing Hakim Ziyech can be a coach’s nightmare by his former manager.
The Moroccan international is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge soon, having agreed a £33million deal to move from Ajax back in February.
The 27-year-old has taken part in his final training session with the Dutch giants and, with contract formally expiring on Tuesday, is set to officially become a Chelsea player at the start of July.
Ahead of his move to London, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag reflected fondly on Ziyech’s time with the club, but also issued a warning to Lampard and his staff.
"Hakim is 'what you see is what you get'. You see what his emotions are doing to him today,” Ten Hag told Ajax TV on Ziyech's final day of training.
"He said 'I am not a man of club love, but at Ajax it is different'. It is an emotional day for Hakim, but [I hope] he looks back on it in a good way.
"He comes in as a big man at Chelsea, a top club in Europe. That is the example for the younger players here. First become the best here, win titles and then take the step.
"He is a character, headstrong. But that also makes him brilliant.
"He sees things that others don't see. Sometimes he is a trainer's nightmare, but you have to give him space.
"If they start playing on their responsibility, you see the development. He took Ajax by the hand and we were very successful together."
Ziyech missed out on winning one final title while with Ajax, after the Eredivisie was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite Ajax being top of the table on goal difference, no winner was declared as the season was declared null and void.
