Louis van Gaal has hailed Hakim Ziyech ahead of the playmaker's summer move to Chelsea.
Chelsea sealed a £33.3 million deal for the Morocco international in February, with the 27-year-old set to officially move to Stamford Bridge on July 1.
Ziyech played a starring role as Ajax won the Eredivisie title last season, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-final, where they were knocked out by Tottenham Hotspur.
And former Manchester United manager Van Gaal, who managed Ajax between 1991 and 1997, believes Chelsea have a special player on their hands.
"He has developed tremendously at Ajax. Not so much in creativity, but as a team player," Van Gaal told NOS.
"The public has come to realize that he works very hard for a creative person. And then he also scores goals and gives assists.
"Then you are a special player," he added.
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."
