Out of the World Cup after just two games, it’s easy to dismiss Morocco as an also-ran at the 2018 finals, but the truth is far from that. Against both Iran and, to a greater extent, Portugal, they showed impressive game play and great offensive talent- but no killer edge in front of goal.
Spain received the full brunt of that quality, with the added bonus of Morocco finally finding the back of the net, even though they bowed out with just a point overall.
Most impressive out of their midfield options was Hakim Ziyech, already a top performer in the Eredivisie with Ajax, but near-certain to move on this summer. A talented playmaker who is sure to be in demand, which clubs would suit him best?
Eternal dilemma
It’s not just a question of who wants him, but also what does Ziyech want from his next move? He, like others before him moving from a big club in a small European league, will have two main choices.
First, he could- assuming they come calling- head to one of the very biggest clubs. Ziyech doubtless has the technical traits to suit those who play fast, adventurous, forward-thinking football, but his consistency has been called into question previously. Would he get regular game time there? Would he be an undisputed starter, a first name on the team-sheet? Almost certainly not. At best there would be competition for places; at worst he’d be brought in as backup to someone else who is the key starter.
Second, there’s the next-step move: a bigger league, but a challenger club. One where he’d be a regular in the side, and have the manager and fans look to him to impact, to make the critical difference.
Excel here and the bigger move can come later; choose the higher jump first and it can be a difficult time if regular action isn’t on offer.
Best-fit teams
It’s a difficult question to judge just who will be in the market for a playmaker of Ziyech’s abilities, especially when so many moves could happen after the World Cup. But a few choice names clearly stand out.
Should Bayer Leverkusen find themselves targeted for perhaps Kai Havertz or Julian Brandt, he could certainly play as one of the attackers behind a striker in the Bundesliga. In his more Ajax-focused central midfield role, Borussia Dortmund are arguably crying out for a talented playmaker, with the likes of Mahmoud Dahoud and Shinji Kagawa not showing their best level last term.
In Italy, rumours have suggested Marek Hamsik could finally leave Napoli- again a move slightly upfield for Ziyech could work out- or else a team like AC Milan, set for yet more rebuilding, could opt to make him a focal point of the team.
We have also, with Morocco, seen Ziyech feature heavily as a free-roving outlet from the left side of midfield, drifting infield and linking play between the lines. He’d be a template fit for several La Liga sides, with Valencia, Atlético Madrid and even Barcelona all utilising a similar type of player in a midfield quartet last term. Atletico is off the cards after Thomas Lemar’s move- but that in turn means a space at AS Monaco in France for that precise role.
Finally, two Premier League sides in particular seem to be after a clever, technical player with an eye for goal: Liverpool and Tottenham. Arguably he suits the three-man midfield of the Reds rather more than Spurs, who have switched between 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 with regularity.
Ziyech will likely have suitors from all over Europe once the finals in Russia are over, but if the bids are forthcoming from Monaco, Valencia, Liverpool, or Dortmund in particular, they might just end up being the clubs where the impressive Moroccan can take huge next strides in his career.
