Achraf Hakimi: The Best Right-Back in the World?
When questioning the right-back position in football, it is fair to argue that the position is the most ambiguous when it comes to identifying who the best player is to have ever graced this role.
Even to this day, when discussing the players who are currently deployed in this position, some may argue for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold for his on-the-ball abilities, whilst others may argue for Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United for his defensive strengths.
Perhaps you look towards Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal for his consistency over the years, or maybe Joshua Kimmich for his versatility and composure to play in different roles for Bayern Munich.
But what if there was a player who was strong in all of the abilities mentioned?
Look no further than Moroccan wonderkid Achraf Hakimi who currently plays for Borussia Dortmund, on loan from Real Madrid.
This article will provide an analysis on why Antonio Conte and his Inter Milan may be so keen on signing the 21-year-old Hakimi for a reported £36.6million.
Hakimi is a product of La Fábrica, Real Madrid’s youth system, and broke into the first team at 19-years-old in 2017 when he was promoted to the main squad.
Understandably, it is difficult enough to become a player at Real Madrid, let alone be a starter for the Spanish giants.
As a result, Madrid didn’t see Hakimi as an immediate starter, with the idea of him operating as a backup for Dani Carvajal appearing to be the most prominent solution in his quest for game time.
He did manage to pick up some minutes as he made his debut for Los Blancos on the 1st of October in a 2-0 victory at home against Espanyol.
After inconsistent game time, Hakimi eventually scored his first goal for the club as he displayed incredible pace and persistence to score the fifth goal for Real Madrid against Sevilla in a punishing 5-0 victory.
His next league goal came in his final appearance for the club as he scored against Celta Vigo in a 6-0 thrashing at home.
Hakimi only managed sixteen appearances throughout the season but did pick up a Champions League medal for his efforts against Tottenham Hotspur for Real Madrid in the group stage, which meant he had become the first Moroccan footballer to do so.
Via Instagram: @achrafhakimi
But with the signing of Álvaro Odriozola before the new season, it became clear that Hakimi would develop further elsewhere, so he joined Borussia Dortmund on a two-year-loan deal a few days after Odriozola’s arrival on the 11th of July 2018.
Hakimi gradually found game time at Dortmund, eventually starting ahead of the reliable Łukasz Piszczek.
The Moroccan instantly impressed, as he scored on his first game for the club and followed that up with back-to-back assists in the next two games.
Lucien Favre began to utilise Hakimi as a left-back, which complimented BVB’s attack as both full-backs often push up when attacking.
This is where Hakimi’s versatility began to show.
Hakimi became a valuable member of BVB’s squad, in a season in which the team improved from a disappointing 4th position, to challenging champions Bayern Munich for the 2018/19 title in which BVB fell short by just two points, resulting in a second-place finish.
It is worth mentioning that Hakimi suffered a metatarsal fracture, side-lining him for the seven remaining fixtures which he may have been able to help pick up the vital points his side needed.
This season, Hakimi’s speed, dribbling and eye for an attack as well as defensive solidness was demonstrated consistently as he appeared in every game possible for Dortmund, except for one league game which he missed due to suspension.
When watching his side play, you may catch Hakimi making his traditional overlapping sprints on either side of the pitch, depending on where he starts, and beating his defenders for pace before unleashing a powerful shot across goal or setting up a teammate.
Perhaps it was his performance against Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan in the Champions League which caught the Italian tactician’s eye.
Via Getty Images
Two similar goals in the second-half meant that Dortmund had completed a fantastic comeback victory against Inter after going 2-0 down in the first-half.
Conte is famous for his 3-5-2 formation, which he used to conquer the Premier League with Chelsea in 2017.
As he seeks to reboot Inter into a successful club, Hakimi may be the perfect player for him.
Conte may use Hakimi out on the flanks, acting as a winger when attacking directly, which he demonstrated he could do at Dortmund this season.
His pace and stamina will compliment Ashley Young on the opposite side, and his eye for a pass can assist either Romelu Lukaku, who holds up play and waits for supporting runs, or for Lautaro Martinez, who is deployed slightly further up the field in hopes for a direct chance at goal.
Whilst it is still very early in Hakimi’s career, I have no doubts that the Moroccan talent will continue to impress the world with dazzling performances and eventually will come back to haunt Real Madrid for letting him leave, if the transfer does go through.