Frank Lampard told Hakim Ziyech that he had been following him for some time as the pair talked about the approach of Chelsea and playing style on the phone.
Chelsea announced this month that a £33.3million agreement had been reached with Ajax for Ziyech and the 26-year-old has since put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the club.
Ziyech impressed in both of Ajax’s Champions League group stage games versus Chelsea earlier this season which convinced Frank Lampard to make a move for the attacker.
The attacking midfielder will remain with the Dutch champions until the end of the season before joining his new team-mates for pre-season training this summer.
Asked whether he’s spoken with Lampard since the transfer was confirmed, Ziyech told Ajax’s official YouTube channel: ‘I’ve been in contact with him for a few weeks now. At first, mainly by the phone.
‘We had a few long conversations about his approach, the playing style, the club, about me personally. And later on we texted quite a lot.’
On whether the Chelsea boss had noticed his performances in the Champions League, Ziyech said: ‘Yes, that’s what he told me. He had been following me for a while.’
Ziyech is hoping to take his game to another level under Lampard considering his position is similar to the role Lampard once had with the Blues.
‘In his time he was such a big player and he was a midfielder so I can learn a lot from him. In that regard, I have a lot to learn,’ Ziyech added.
‘I had a good feeling after our talks and that feeling only became stronger. There was no doubt in my mind.’
