Stamford Bridge legend Mario Melchiot has backed a brave prediction made by his former teammate, and Chelsea boss, Frank Lampard.
Lampard has told Chelsea fans that attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech, a star performer in against Sheffield United on Saturday night, will be a big player in West London, teasing supporters that they have not seen the best of his yet.
Ziyech provided two assists during the 4-1 win and played the key pass that allowed Mateo Kovacic to gift Tammy Abraham an early goal.
Lampard said: "He will be a big player for us.
"I need players who can come in and lift the level. That's hard. The midfield were great with their driving runs. He has given us an extra edge"
And former Netherlands international Mechiot, who made 165 appearances for Chelsea after signing from Ajax in 1999, agrees, quickly answering "no" when asked if Chelsea fans were already seeing Ziyech at his best.
"We see a confident guy but I know he can be way more confident and way more dominating in the game," he told Stadium Astro.
"When he gets to that point, that’s when we’re going to see the guy that we really want to see.
"Why is he a top player? Because of his technical ability," Melchiot continued. "He’s a strong player, physically he might not look it, but he is.
"Left foot, great. As a human being he’s a real fighter. His stamina, it looks like this guy will never get tired.
"Now it comes down to how long and how effective can he stay for that team?
"For Ziyech, it’s now can he create the same comfort that he had at Ajax in the sense of being so crucial for the team?
"When he does that then we’ve got a really, really good player that wants to feel great about himself.
"He’s a top player, I don’t doubt that, but now he just has to continue."
