Ajax’s director of football Marc Overmars has claimed that Hakim Ziyech is better than Arsenal’s World Cup-winning playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Ziyech was one of Ajax’s best players last season as they clinched the Eredivisie title as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Moroccan international scored 21 goals and provided 24 assists in all competitions last campaign and was widely expected to be snapped up a big European club by now.
However, Ziyech is still a part of Ajax and director of football Overmars is as surprised as anyone that the 26-year-old hasn’t had any offers from the bigger clubs.
“I think he has played better every year and his statistics are exceptionally good. Many clubs are increasingly looking at that. They look more at the numbers than at what he shows and what is happening around him,” he said.
Overmars, who played 130 times for Arsenal, went onto claim that Ziyech is better than the Gunners’ star attacker Mesut Ozil who has had his fair share of problems since the arrival of Unai Emery. The German started just 20 games for the Gunners in the Premier League last season and a lot has been said about his future at the Emirates.
“I think Hakim Ziyech is better than Mesut Özil. I would say: sell it and you will get Hakim for half. But they didn’t listen to me.”
Irrespective of Ozil’s situation, signing a player of Ziyech’s quality would be a massive statement of intent by Arsenal especially after his spectacular season.
With the Moroccan available for as little as £25 million thanks to a buy-out clause in his contract, he would be as good a bargain as the Gunners have had in a long time and Emery should seriously consider making a move for him in the next few weeks.
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