If you track back all the way to November 2019 when Hakim Ziyech lit up Stamford Bridge for Ajax, it was understandable why the excitement over the announcement of his signing three months later was palpable.
This upcoming Thursday will mark two years since Chelsea originally announced the five-year deal to sign the Moroccan for £33.3m.
Ziyech's transfer began a major summer of business that would aim to ignite a new attacking lineup after the departures of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro. Although it has taken over a season and a half, Chelsea are finally starting to see the value of their investment on Ziyech.
His 89th-minute winner at Selhurst Park on Saturday saved what was a truly uninspiring Chelsea performance.
Ziyech appeared to be the only attacking player boosted by the gold world champions badge printed on his chest, consistently producing moments of elegance and inspiration in a game that provided the opposite.
A third consecutive Premier League goal means he's already bettered his goal tally in all competitions from last season and he only looks to be growing in importance to an attack that has lacked talismanic figures.
“If we play a 4-1-4-1 this is the position that suits him best,” Tuchel said on Ziyech following the game.
"He feels good to play from the very far right-wing. He has in the moment a good mix between taking the risk and between keeping the possession.”
Chelsea's risk-averse approach in possession forged little creativity which made Ziyech's sole opposition to that style so striking.
He could have had two assists on the day. In the first half carving a wonderful left-footed cross into the box after some neat trickery near the corner flag. Christain Pulisic could not sort his feet out in time to convert.
Then in the second half, from a more central position executing a delicious cross into the perfect area only for no yellow shirt to capitalise.
His first goal ruled out by VAR for offside looked to be Chelsea's best opening, but his anticipation to meet a Marcos Alonso cross at the back post soothed that frustration.
What would have been encouraging for Tuchel was that Ziyech stepped up in Mason Mount's absence.
The Cobham graduate has been the consistent outlier in a highly inconsistent area of the pitch. Mount's tenacity, influence and creativity have been hard to replicate when not on the pitch.
Whilst Christain Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Romelu Lukaku failed to step up, Ziyech proved he can be relied upon in clutch moments.
This recent run of good form helps Ziyech step away from the doubt creeping in over his future at Stamford Bridge.
Along with Christain Pulisic who cost Chelsea £58m in 2019 and Timo Werner, £47m in 2020, all three have been dubbed as potential departures this summer.
"Yeah. The last couple of months I am in good shape, and I am enjoying playing football. I am trying to do my best and that is the most important". Ziyech said to the club's website after the win.
"It was a difficult game, instead of a good game. There was not a lot of chances, we only had a small couple of chances. Of course, there was the goal that wasn’t allowed, but it was the best feeling to score in the last minute."
Ziyech is beginning to show a level of productivity that has been sorely missing all season.
In a department where value for money has been hard to find, the winger is adding some much-needed optimism.
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