Ajax star Hakim Ziyech has been slammed for his decision to ditch the club to join Chelsea in the summer.
Ziyech has agreed a £33million move to Stamford Bridge when the transfer window re-opens at the end of the season, becoming Frank Lampard's first major signing after their transfer ban was lifted.
The skillful Moroccan has been a key player for Ajax in recent years, helping them reach the Champions League semi-finals last season and attracting admiring glances from top clubs around Europe.
But former Netherlands international Andy van der Meyde, who started his career at Ajax, believes he has made a major mistake joining an "unstable" club rather than a top team such as Bayern Munich.
Ex-Everton ace Van der Meyde told VTBL: “It’s time for him to leave. Hakim is ready, he has to take the next step.
“The Eredivise is a training party for Ziyech. It makes sense that he looking for a new team. You need that as a top athlete.
“I just didn’t expect him to go to Chelsea. I don’t think it’s a top team nor a stable club. I would have expected Bayern Munich or something of that size.
“Of course, it could be the hierarchy below Liverpool changes if Manchester City are really punished and maybe Chelsea will benefit from it and they will play for the prizes, but then again, if they play, I don’t think: ‘Wow, I’ll stay at home and watch’.”
Ziyech has bagged 47 goals in 159 games for Ajax and is expected to add the creativity Chelsea have been craving since the departure of Eden Hazard last summer.
Discussing the move last week, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard explained how they failed in a January move before landing their man.
“We tried and it was not possible," the Blues boss told Sky Sports . "We all know how the January window works.
"You respect clubs that have top players want to keep them and that was the case. But that is done and we have him for next season. Pleased with that.
"This season, we’ve come up against him twice so I know a lot about him," added Lampard. "He has a great left foot, plays generally off the right-hand side but can play in behind the frontman as well.
"When you look at us this season, there have been games where we’ve maybe struggled to unlock the door and he’s certainly a player who we hope can bring that bit of creativity.
"He will be something different for us so we’re excited. I know he’s not coming in now but I think it’s exciting for us as a club and for the fans to know that he’ll be here next year."
