Hakim Ziyech is an up and coming star for the Morroccan national team. He's been granted creative license by his manager Erik ten Hag to roam in a free role in a young AFC Ajax side. The right winger, turned classic number ten, uses his inginuity, pace, and shot, to create chances and goals for the eredivisie side. Lionel Messi could so, and much more.
FC Barcelona's manager Ernesto Valverde has been under fire recently for Barcelona's performances in the UEFA champions league. In 2018, his side lost 3-0 in Rome, and was knocked out on away goal rule 4-4 by a Francesco Totti-less AS Roma. In 2019, his side lost 4-0 to eventual champions Liverpool in a collapse at Anfield. In both ties, Lionel Messi was anonymous. Could a system that frees "La Pulga" of his defensive shackles be the difference in bringing a 6th European cup back to the Nou Camp?
Hag lost Frenkie De Jong and Matias De Ligt this summer, his two brighest stars. Yet, in the UEFA Champions League, his side top group F despite a 0-1 home loss to Chelsea in October. Hag's side are adding experience and defensive stability to the side that reached the UEFA Champions league semi finals last season.
There, Ajax ended Real Madrid's 3-year dominance of the UEFA champions league, winning 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu and 5-3 on aggregate. Despite losing vital components of their squad and game plan, Hag has only improved. His side sit top of the Eredevise table, undefeated, with 32 points out of a possible 36.
If Hakim Ziyech can do wonders in a free role, what could Lionel Messi?
The Argentine picked up "The Best" on September 23, the award for the best football player in the world. However, he's made his intentions known the Nou Camp faithful, saying last summer how he "would do anything to bring that beautiful trophy back to Barcelona."
Barcelona, who run a similar a similar 4-3-3 formation to that of Ajax, could also unlock Griezmann's potential as a false 9, allowing Messi to drift wide and stretch opposition defensive lines.
With Hag's deep run in the competition last season, and Barcelona not reaching the final since 2015, the union of coach and club seem like a match made in heaven.