Frank Lampard has heaped praises on Hakim Ziyech’s performance in Chelsea’s win against Burnley and believes the winger brings a different quality to his side’s attack.
After cameos off the bench against Southampton and Manchester United, Ziyech started his first Premier League game at Turf Moor and showed why Chelsea brought him to Stamford Bridge.
The former Ajax star opened the scoring with a fine finish before setting up Timo Werner with a perfect through-ball and Lampard says he will be a huge player for Chelsea going forward.
Asked about Ziyech, Lampard said: ‘Yeah really impressed, really excited. ‘I knew the quality, but to see him first-hand at the training ground it was so frustrating that he got injured because I could see it.
‘But his personality, his work rate off the ball – which I think some people might expect a winger with his technical qualities to not have a work ethic for the team – he has that.
‘I think you saw that again today. And then that bit of quality, which is something that maybe is a different quality to what we had last year and what we had in the team. He brings something different.’
Expanding more in his post-match press conference, Lampard continued: ‘I expected a lot of him, because I was very aware of his quality, that’s why we brought him to the club.
‘I think I’ve said it a bit now, but he brings a different quality to us with his eye for a pass, receiving, his crossing and everything, his assist-making.
‘But what I’ve seen since he’s been here as well is his absolute personality when he plays to want the ball. His work rate off the ball is very, very good as well.
‘And he’s brought those qualities and he’s come in with a real confidence. He’s definitely given us a big boost with his demeanour and the way he plays. Two games in a few days, with a trip to Russia in between, for him, after being out for so long, it’s been a really good start for him.’
