Teammates warn Hakim Ziyech: Hit the gym!

by Graeme Jackson

Tuesday May 19, 2020. 12:00

Former teammates of Moroccan attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech have congratulated the player on his imminent move to Chelsea – but warned that he’ll need to hit the gym and bulk up!

The 27-year-old will be joining the Blues from Dutch giants Ajax for the 2020-21 season, in a €40 million-plus-bonuses deal which was agreed at the start of the year.

In a touching tribute video, as per Tribal Football, several current and former teammates of the Atlas Lions player have wished him well ahead of his move to London – with the Dutch Eredivisie season scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eintracht Frankfurt wing-back Jetro Willems, who is on loan with Newcastle United, joked: “If you just tell the trainer that you have stomach flu against us. Then everything will be all right!”

Aston Villa midfielder Anwar El Ghazi said: “Prepare well! Go to that gym really fast! You have to go to the gym very quickly, because in the Premier League they are only animals!”

Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt stated: “I’m sure you’re going to show it in the Premier League and you’re doing well. I wish you success.”

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong also remarked: “Congratulations on your transfer to Chelsea, well deserved! Both as a player and a person you are really a winner. Just stay who you are, then you will also make it there.”

Ziyech made his name at Heerenveen and FC Twente before switching to Ajax in 2016. In four seasons in Amsterdam he racked up 49 goals in 165 appearances.

The Dutch-born player has also represented Morocco since October 2015 and has gone on to feature in the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.