Hakim Ziyech has explained how Frank Lampard's attacking philosophy was a crucial factor behind his decision to join Chelsea.
The playmaker is set to join the Blues on July 1, after Lampard's side sealed a £33.3 million deal to sign him from Ajax back in mid-February.
Ziyech arrives at Stamford Bridge having established himself as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in Europe, after playing a key role in Ajax's title triumph last season, and the Dutch side's run to the Champions League semi-final.
And the 27-year-old has explained that the lure of Chelsea was too hard to turn down, especially with the prospect of working with Lampard, whose plan to "play attacking football" suited his own style.
“Chelsea is a beautiful club, a huge club," Ziyech told NOS.
"The football that they play attracts me and the manager wants to play attacking football.
"And just like here [Ajax], they like to use the talent that walks around in their club now.”
Ziyech was denied the chance to finish his Ajax career on a high with the Eredivisie season declared null and void due to the coronavirus crisis.
The midfielder was instead given a farewell ceremony by the club, with a series of clips and messages shown at Tuschinski theatre in Amsterdam.
"It’s a bit strange," he said.
"You know that everything comes to an end. But it’s, you know...It’s a strange way of closing this chapter.
"Not what I had imagined, no. I am happy to take the next step, but you don’t want to end it like this. It feels as if you didn’t pass the exams, that’s how it feels.
"You’re powerless. It doesn’t feel like the season ended successfully."
