The Moroccan has agreed to join Chelsea in the summer for a fee around €40 million, but will see out the remainder of 2019-2020 season at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
It was quite an open secret that Ziyech will move away from the Eredivisie outfit, and he was heavily linked with a move to the Bavarian giants.
Van der Meyde believes the Ajax superstar made a big mistake by not joining a ‘top team’ in the mould of Bayern Munich.
“It’s time for him to leave. Hakim is ready, he has to take the next step,’ the Dutchman told VTBL.
“The Eredivisie is a training party for Ziyech. It makes sense that he is looking for a new team. You need that as a top athlete.”
“I just didn’t expect him to go to Chelsea. I don’t think it’s a top team nor a stable club. I would have expected Bayern Munich or something of that size.”
“Of course, it could be the hierarchy below Liverpool changes if Manchester City are really punished and maybe Chelsea will benefit from it and they will play for the prizes, but then again, if they play, I don’t think: ‘Wow, I’ll stay at home and watch’.”
The 26-year-old has scored 47 goals in his 159 games across all competitions for the Amsterdam-based team.
