Adrian Clarke assesses the summer signings who have impressed over the past month.
Hakim Ziyech (CHE)
While it is early into the Moroccan's Premier League career, Ziyech has already shown that he is one of the most creative players in the competition.
Since joining from Ajax, Ziyech has scored one goal and set up three more in only two PL starts.
In his four starts in all competitions he has been directly involved in five of the 14 goals Chelsea have scored.
The end product he offers has been a huge boost to Frank Lampard's side.
Ziyech v Sheff Utd
Although he has played only 190 minutes, Ziyech has been one of the most influential players in this season's Premier League.
No one has set up more big chances per 90 minutes than Ziyech, who is creating almost four per match.
In his last appearance against Sheffield United he made six key passes, the most by a player in any match in 2020/21.
Ziyech's creativity
| Big chances created | 1.9 | 1st |
|---|---|---|
| Chances created | 3.8 | 2nd |
| Set-piece chances created | 1.4 | 2nd |
| Passes into box | 11.8 | 3rd |
| 2020/21 | Per 90 | PL rank* |
*Minimum of two starts
Ziyech is regarded as a master technician from set-pieces, and this skill could make a tremendous difference to Chelsea in 2020/21.
Against Sheff Utd he whipped in an unplayable wide free-kick for Thiago Silva to score and also set up Ben Chilwell with a pinpoint far-post cross following a short corner.
Chelsea have a number of big targets to aim for in dead-ball situations, and because of Ziyech's exceptional delivery the Blues now have someone who can find them.
Blossoming partnership with Werner
One of the most exciting aspects to emerge from the last two matches is Ziyech's understanding with Timo Werner, who had made an uninspiring start to his Chelsea career.
Before Ziyech's first start, Werner had scored only twice in six Premier League matches, both in a Matchweek 5 draw with Southampton.
But on Ziyech's full debut two weeks after that match he released Werner to score from a precise through-ball in a 3-0 win at Burnley.
From a similar situation he picked out another of Werner’s runs with a wonderful long pass to release him on goal at home to Sheff Utd.
Ziyech assists Werner
Clinical counter-attack! 😍@TimoWerner's first away @PremierLeague goal! pic.twitter.com/4TOqnJyRhZ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 1, 2020
When the speedy forward makes those dynamic out-to-in runs from Chelsea’s left side, Ziyech has the confidence and class to find him.
Newcastle United will hope they can keep this exciting duo quiet in the first fixture of Matchweek 9 after the international break.
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Also in this series
Part 1: Leicester's Fofana showing maturity beyond his years