Jesper Gronkjaer: 'Hakim Ziyech will walk into Chelsea starting XI'

Former winger Jesper Gronkjaer has backed Hakim Ziyech to make an immediate impact at Chelsea next season.

Shortly after the end of the January transfer window, Chelsea announced that they had agreed a deal for the Ajax playmaker, who has starred for the Dutch outfit over the past two campaigns.

Gronkjaer has revealed that he is an admirer of the Morocco international, predicting that he will not waste any time in earning a place in the Blues starting lineup.

Speaking to Goal, Gronkjaer said: "Ziyech was the one who has caught my eye over the past two seasons even though he wasn't produced by Ajax's academy.

"You need players like that. I think all the top clubs will have looked at Ziyech and asked the question if he is good enough for our team.

"He is a fantastic player but I think for Chelsea he will be in the starting XI straight away."

The 27-year-old contributed eight goals and 16 assists from Eredivisie and Champions League fixtures this season.