Ex-Spurs star says Tottenham would've been 'title contenders' if Levy had signed £33m man

By Shamanth Jayaram

Rafael van der Vaart has claimed that Tottenham would’ve been challenging for the title now if they had signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax before Chelsea did last year.

Ziyech was one of Ajax’s best players during his time there. He was incredible for them in the Eredivisie as well as in the Champions League, and he was a wanted man before Chelsea snapped him up.

Like many other top clubs in England, Tottenham were linked with him too. 90min revealed in November 2019 that Ziyech was Spurs’ preferred playmaker to replace Christian Eriksen, who ended up moving to Inter Milan.

Tottenham’s interest didn’t materialise and Chelsea took it upon themselves to sign him for £33.3 million in February 2020, ahead of a permanent move in the summer. (BBC)

Van der Vaart: Ziyech would’ve made Tottenham title contenders

The Dutchman would’ve watched a lot of Ziyech at Ajax over the years. He knows the Moroccan’s qualities really well, and he strongly believes that Tottenham would’ve been title contenders now if Daniel Levy had signed him before Chelsea did.

He told Ziggo Sport Voetbal: “With hindsight, it’s easy, but I think it was a wrong choice (Ziyech joining Chelsea).

“I hope he still fully blossoms, but if he had gone to Tottenham, for example. They are lacking a player like him. He played very well at Ajax and did the same against Tottenham. Just take him then.

“With a player like that, Tottenham are title contenders, and they’re not now because they have all the same kind of players. It was a pity he went to Chelsea.”

Saying Ziyech would’ve made Spurs title contenders is a bit of a stretch, but the Moroccan definitely would’ve improved them. Sadly, he joined Chelsea and things haven’t worked out for him at Stamford Bridge.