In our view, Newcastle United should not proceed with their reported pursuit of Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, as he does suit the system set in place by Eddie Howe.
The Telegraph had claimed that the Magpies were keen on signing the Moroccan international, alongside both Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
However, one struggles to understand why Newcastle would chase Hakim Ziyech, as he is the anthesis of an Eddie Howe player.
Why Ziyech to Newcastle under Howe cannot work
Perhaps the biggest factor behind why the ex-Ajax creator has found it impossible to light up the Premier League is due to the lack of athleticism, particularly in terms of his initial burst of speed on the ball.
Jadon Sancho is another winger that has suffered the same issue, and unless you are as uniquely technically gifted as either Robert Pires or Riyad Mahrez, a certain degree of athleticism remains crucial for a winger to succeed in England.
Especially in an Eddie Howe side, Hakim Ziyech would look completely out of place as Newcastle United are at their brilliant best in transition.
It is no coincidence that the likes of Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and even Jacob Murphy have thrived under the English tactician.
Also, another signature facet of every wide player at the club, particularly Murphy and Almiron is their brilliant off-the-ball workrate.
The same cannot be said for Ziyech, who tends to cover a lot of grass, which is another factor behind why Howe and Newcastle do not suit him.
In some senses, this current Magpies side is an early iteration of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, typified by rapid counter-attacks and tireless pressing.
While the £100,000-a-week wideman possesses tons of quality, he simply isn’t the correct fit to tick either box.
For those very reasons, Hakim Ziyech, Newcastle and Eddie Howe would be a match made in hell.
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