Player Focus: The Emergence of Hakim Ziyech at Heerenveen

The difference, in terms of level, between the Eredivisie and its counterparts in Western Europe – namely the ‘Big five’ – is widely known and appreciated. As mentioned on these pages, numerous times, the Eredivisie has over the years steadily built a reputation as a ‘developmental league’. A unique selling point is being a haven for promising young talents. This season is no exception; already we’ve seen an abundance emerge, one of whom isHakim Ziyech, succinctly described by Voetbal International as a “classical ‘number ten’ with a golden left foot.”

It’s typical of Heerenveen, a club that constantly reinvents themselves whenever it seems they are dead certainties to struggle. Nothing is left to chance; three simple and effective reasons can be attributed to their success: a frugal business model, a very good scouting network – at home and abroad – and a youth program to match. Ziyech is one of the most naturally gifted to come through their ranks, having broken into the first-team last year, making five league appearances. With playmaker Filip ?uri?i? departing in the summer for Benfica, he’s slowly established himself as a mainstay in their first eleven. A revelation as far as manager Marco van Basten is concerned: “He’s a player with many qualities,” the three-time Ballon d’Or winner said.

No stranger to player development given his background as youth coach at his old club Ajax, Van Basten has been careful not to elevate expectations of the 20-year-old, even if he’s fast becoming his side’s most influential player. Heerenveen‘s season, like those around them, can be loosely described as chaotic. “Every year, the best players from the league are sold,” Van Basten told Algemeen Dagblad. “You have to deal with the volatility.” The former AC Milan striker proposes a wishful solution. “I think there should be an agreement between players and clubs that a player must play at least a hundred games with his first club before he is allowed to go abroad.”

Ziyech has been a real positive this season. Only serial goal-getter Alfreð Finnbogason (8.02), out of every player who’s amassed 10 or more appearances at the club this campaign, possesses a higher WhoScored rating than him (7.26). He’s been close to the centre of everything brilliant about Heerenveen. Van Basten last season subconsciously built his team around ?uri?i?, their most creative player, implementing a 5-3-2 system. He’s opted for a more conservative 4-3-3 this term but Ziyech has nonetheless taken over from the Serb.

In a short space of time the ?uri?i? size hole in the Friesian midfield has been filled. Ziyech, similar to his predecessor, at full flight is a joy to watch. He brings a different dimension to their game – playing as the deep-lying forward or on the flank – his tactical discipline, spatial awareness, energy, decision-making and technical ability has rightfully been lauded. The temperament he’s displayed is a testament to his character; serene and secure, comfortable in everything he does; the pressures of top-flight football are greatly felt by many of his contemporaries but not him.

It was on the streets where he developed his love of the game; everywhere he went so did his football, it became such an obsession you’d be forgiven if those around him started to think he was becoming anti-social. Then again such was his gift he was most likely encouraged. Nothing it seemed was going to stop Ziyech from pursuing his dream. Born in Dronten in 1993 he joined Heerenveen, in the neighbouring province of Friesland, aged eleven from local club ASV Dronten.

The early years were tough and laden with challenges. “As a young boy you are very impressionable,” he explains. “You cannot afford to make many mistakes [off the pitch], because then your career would be over before it’s really begun”. Now mature beyond his years he reminisces. “Luckily with the help of others I have made the right choices and it’s going well.” One of those individuals is Heerenveen’s team manager Pieter Busscher. “I had a very short fuse and got into a lot of trouble,” Ziyech recently told Voetbal International. “He dragged me through difficult moments.” Busscher, who he’s known since his youth days, has also been a positive male role model. “When I arrived at the club my father had just passed away. He’s been important to me. He became my confidant.”

Ziyech, who one commentator believes could become “the Mesut Özil of the Netherlands”, has been given a platform to start fulfilling his potential. He is the archetypal playmaker Dutch fans love: controls tempo, creates space and provides for attackers. One of his WhoScored strengths is dribbling (15); only winger Rajiv van La Parra (27) been more successful at Heerenveen this season. Another is through ball, while he is also an adept crosser of the ball. He leads the Eredivisie for accurate through balls (6) and is top for accurate crosses (17) at Heerenveen. His average passes per game is a tame 30.8, but he’s proven to be effective; only two players in the whole league have created more chances (36), and when it comes to assists only Dušan Tadi? (7) of FC Twente and Maarten Martens (8) of AZ have been more productive.

His five assists equals Finnbogason’s total of last season, the best at the club, but is 17 shy of Luciano Narsingh’s record-equalling tally in a single season set the year before. Narsingh, now plying his trade at PSV, equalled Ruud Gullit’s mammoth 22 assists for Feyenoord in 1983-84. The title of ‘assist king’ is one Ziyech can realistically attain in what is turning out to be his breakthrough season; surpassing the record shared by Narsingh and Gullit might be out of his reach, but it won’t stop him from trying. “I don’t live for goals like Finnbogason. I prefer to make a decisive pass than score.”

One flaw is his physicality. He’s only completed the full 90 minutes four times this season. Fortunately for his club, in those nine unfinished games, he’s already made a positive contribution before substituted. Understandably this does lead to a concern that Ziyech has acknowledged. No one said reaching the top would be easy. “I have to be physically stronger, watch my diet and rest, and work even harder in training.” This shortcoming has been compensated by his vision: a player of pure imagination capable of just about anything, as his goal against RKC Waalwijk – a superb long-range lob five minutes from time – illustrated. “I’ve scored many like it growing up,” he said after the game. “I knew what I was doing when I intercepted the ball. I saw the ‘keeper off his line and did not hesitate for a second.” It was his third goal of the season “and all of them beautiful,” he added.

Three goals from 36 shots (2.8 per game) is a modest return and two of those strikes have been direct free-kicks, enhancing his reputation as a dead ball specialist. In a league where attacking intent is mandatory, partnerships are vital and the one forged between Ziyech and Finnbogason could be enough to land them a European spot, the minimum target of Van Basten. “We can build something beautiful,” Ziyech says.

Unsurprisingly, given his recent performances and with a contract expiring next summer, he’s attracted attention. “If it were up to me, I’m staying.” It would be criminal if Heerenveen let him slip through their fingers. A contract extension, though, seems imminent. On the day he scored his second goal of the season – a late winner away to NEC – the shortlist for this year’s Golden Boy award was published. From being widely unheard of a year ago, if his rise continues, there’s every chance he could be vying for the accolade twelve months from now.