30 Apr 2019 22:17:05
Yesterday a poster on the Rumours page asked about any Liverpool interest in Ziyech of Ajax. Ed002 explained that Liverpool had shown interest a couple of years ago but he comes with baggage and perhaps is not what the club want. I just watched the Spurs v Ajax game and I thought Ziyech was the best attacking player on the pitch. Based only on this match, it seems a pity that we ended our interest - no doubt for good reasons.

1.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 22:44:29
WW I have watched him a few times and today was just a normal game for him, he looks quality. Van de Beek looks quality too IMO.

I like Brandt but want us to get the very best we can and maybe Ziyech is better. Is it Shaq baggage or Balotelli baggage?

2.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 23:12:54
markp08, it’s good that to hear that I am not suffering from a case of ‘MOTD fever’. Ed002 didn’t say what type or weight of baggage Ziyech comes with - anything you can enlighten us about without falling foul of the libel laws Ed002?

{Ed002's Note - It is of no consequence on this page.}

3.) 30 Apr 2019
30 Apr 2019 23:20:34
I don’t think ziyech is special or has the potential to be. Rather Brandt if it’s a choice, as I believe his best years are still ahead of him. Brandt moving central also plays in his favour, as he can bed in as a winger, but also be played as a ten or 8 when he gets up to speed with the league.

4.) 01 May 2019
01 May 2019 05:14:39
We already have three good left footed attacking options in Salah Shaqiri and Wilson. Unless we lose two of these, I don’t think we will look for another in Ziyech or Fekir.
Also while he works hard and is a good creator, he doesn’t finish too well IMHO.

{Ed001's Note - I did not see anything in Ziyech. For that matter I am not sure why anyone is that hyped about a single Ajax player. They are a good team but not good individuals. Ten Hag is clearly the reason they are doing so well as not one of those players is outstanding.}

5.) 01 May 2019
01 May 2019 07:43:14
De Jong is excellent, also de ligt is the Dutch Jon Terry a real leader, and neres is a real handful for someone quite slight, I think the have a real team ethic but also some real leaders in de ligt an de Jong.

6.) 01 May 2019
01 May 2019 09:11:11
Ziyech looked over-awed against Juventus and was more of a hinderence than a help, I thought. I missed the first half of last night as well, when Ajax had the best of it, but he did little to make me think he’s worth considering.

Ajax remind me of Liverpool when Klopp first took over. Getting more out of the players with an in-your-face system and a frantic style, relying on turnovers and capitalising on mistakes. That’s why they’re doing so well this year. They’ve caught other teams cold because they’re not used to dealing with it and haven’t done adequate planning.

Very enjoyable to watch but I’m not sure that anybody is particularly a cut above. For 19 years old, De Ligt is a beast. Van de Beek looks pretty good to me as well, but maybe not top drawer.

7.) 01 May 2019
01 May 2019 10:52:03
Spot on, lads. I don't think Ziyech is that special and remember, these are players who have been thriving in a specific system that suits their strengths and hides their weaknesses so I'm always weary of such players.

As for Brandt, Ziyech is not anywhere near his league, ability-wise. Brandt is the real deal and has been touted since his teens to have a promising career. I first watched him in the U20 WC in 2015, then at the Olympics in 2016 and then the years after that and IMO, he IS special. His ability and versatility in the attack (able to play EVERY position bar CF) is something Ziyech simply can't compete with. It's a no brainer as to who to go for should it be btw Ziyech and Brandt.