Achraf
Hakimi’s rise from another Real Madrid youngster with lots of potential to a
near world-class wideman has been meteoric. After winning the champions league
in the 2017/2018 season with Real Madrid, he might have been hoping to continue
winning at the club. But life and the Real Madrid's top brass, as usual, had
different plans for him. He was put up for loan and had decent offers. He took
the one that best served his interests in Dortmund and has not looked back
since. Like Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins, Achraf honed and developed his skill away
from the comfort of his home. The Bundesliga became his training ground, and
with hope and dedication, he has become one of the best. All that remains is
his return and the revelation of who and what he has become after two years
away.
When the loan
move was confirmed, Achraf, Zidane, and a majority of Real Madrid fans hoped he
would return as a top fullback capable of protecting the right side of their
defense. All involved hoped he could restore the integrity of a backline that
had been leaky. In the Bundesliga, he has become a better defender than before
and is seen as good competition for the incumbent Dani Carvajal (who honed his
ability in the Bundesliga too). In Carvajal, he has a formidable foe who excels
in the art of defense and attack. In 22 games, he makes 0.4 blocks per game as
compared to Achraf’s 0.1. he also makes 1.3 interceptions vs. Achraf’s 1 per 90
minutes defensively. When it comes to tackles per 90 minutes, Carvajal again
edges the young Moroccan 2.3 to 1.9. Carvajal makes it count when it comes to
defense. Achraf, however, edges Carvajal in attack as he has 4 goals and 10
assists to Dani’s 1 goal and 5 assists this season. With all these, the
expectation is that he takes over from Dani Carvajal one way or the other. However
impressive Hakimi has been while on loan at BVB, no one is safe at the Bernabeu.
The 21-year-old has inarguably overtaken Odriozola (who is on loan at Bayern)
in the pecking order. Altogether, whether he can
usurp Carvajal – or left-back Ferland Mendy – is another matter.
Again, in the
Bundesliga, Achraf has forged an identity as an agile and dynamic offensive force
of nature. He has 14 goal involvements. Hakimi and his 45 take-ons per 90 is a
top-five statistic in the Bundesliga among fullbacks with the Moroccan
international completing a healthy 2.69. With his raw pace, strength, and
athleticism, Hakimi often leaves opposing fullbacks eating his dust. Unlike
most youthfully exuberant fullbacks, Hakimi’s attacking forays have end
products. This season, he has been responsible for creating 13 big chances in
the Bundesliga. This puts him in the upper echelon of chance-creating
fullbacks. Such has been his usefulness upfront that Lucien Favre deploys him
out wide in the attack when the need arises - most notably against
Internazionale in the Champions League, scoring twice. He is capable of playing
on either flank, too. His 10 assists ensure his offensive ability is not in doubt. His
performances have helped him to forge an identity as a versatile player who can
play on either side of the pitch.
The improvement has made him a
player that Zidane can rely on upfront or at the back. His performances have been so impressive that Real
Madrid was desperate to have him back.
In returning, he comes to help improve the
rearguard while enhancing the attack. Just as Bruce Wayne returned as Gotham’s
protector, Achraf Hakimi returns as a pivotal piece that adds to Madrid’s plan to dominate
football with youngsters.
Question is,
can he do it in Madrid or elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below.
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