Hakim Ziyech is taking inspiration from Eden Hazard in his bid to become Chelsea’s new talisman.
The Morocco winger has made an outstanding start at Stamford Bridge, prompting early comparisons with Hazard, who left a massive void when moving to Real Madrid last year.
Ziyech has a long way to go to come close to emulating the Belgian’s influence and even Frank Lampard admitted last week that he’s reluctant to place too much pressure on the 27-year-old by asking him to fill such sizeable shoes.
But the former Ajax star insists he has no doubt about his qualities – and wants to follow Hazard’s lead.
“Eden is a world-class player and you always take inspiration off how he is playing the game,” he said. “You always look at the small things and how he’s doing stuff. I still can learn a lot from him.
“So far I’m happy. I feel good and I feel home, so those things are the most important things to how you perform on the pitch.
“I always know what I’m capable of doing and I always trust in myself. I am calm in my head and know the other things are coming.
“That’s always why you want to take a bigger step, to challenge yourself with better players around you. I think that’s good for every player.”
Ziyech was part of a £220million spending spree that has transformed Chelsea into title contenders this season, and the midfielder is convinced they have the potential to be champions.
He added: “You always have to believe in it. It starts there - and then just working every day harder.
“We will see what it will bring, but you always have to believe it is possible. That is what we are doing.”
