Rio Ferdinand details Frank Lampard chat on ‘ridiculous’ Hakim Ziyech

With the arrivals of players like Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, Chelsea fans can be forgiven for losing track of the sheer amount of talented attacking players at Frank Lampard’s disposal.

But it’s Hakim Ziyech, whose signing was confirmed way back in February, who has been lighting up Cobham during pre-season training.

The Moroccan international missed the Premier League opener, with Werner and Havertz both starting in the 3-1 win at Brighton.

Ziyech picked up a knee injury in the pre-season clash with the Seagulls, with Lampard revealing he is also a major doubt for this weekend’s game at Anfield.

“Hakim Ziyech took an injury to a knee against Brighton so won’t be fit. We hope it’s a matter of weeks, a couple of weeks but we have to see.”

However, prior to that injury, Lampard was said to be blown away by the abilities of the former Ajax man, particularly in the passing game.

Lampard’s former England teammate Rio Ferdinand has revealed the Chelsea boss’ excitement about getting him on to the pitch with the rest of his richly-assembled squad.

On his YouTube channel: “I spoke to Frank the other day about Ziyech and he said: ‘His passing is ridiculous’.

“I’m looking to see them passes when he cuts with his left foot and has the likes of Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz etc all making runs, and I think Ziyech will be putting it on a plate for these boys.”

Chelsea legend Alan Hudson has also voiced his excitement at the thought of Ziyech and Werner linking up in the coming weeks.

“With Werner and Hakim Ziyech, who Frank was so impressed with in that amazing 4-4 draw against Ajax in the Champions League, this really does look like a brand new line-up,” Hudson said.

“They were lacking that class, and Ziyech will bring that, while Werner will love his creativity, something Chelsea having been lacking in abundance. Two tremendous signings.”