In a recent print edition, Gazzetta dello Sport mentioned that Chelsea are set to miss out on Inter Milan wide player Achraf Hakimi this summer. It is understood that the Moroccan talent prefers a move to Paris Saint-Germain despite the Blues’ last-gasp attempt to land him during this summer transfer period (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness).
Hakimi’s Excellent Form For Inter Milan Last Season
Hakimi encountered another outstanding campaign with the Milan giants as he produced a run of consistent displays for them down the right flank. His brilliant contributions helped Inter secure the Serie A title last season which goes to show just how much he has matured as a footballer.
The Madrid-born sensation participated in 45 matches for the Italian outfit in the previous campaign, finding the back of the net on seven occasions and securing 11 assists in all competitions. Hakimi was an influential presence in both halves based on his average of 1.4 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, 1.1 shots, 1.0 key passes and 0.9 dribbles per game in Serie A. He has even been careful with his ball distribution after completing 84.5% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Italian football (stats via whoscored).
The 22-year-old has been playing at a high level, so it is no surprise that both Chelsea and PSG are showing interest in securing his signature in this off-season. Hakimi has already established himself as a world-class talent which makes him a great fit for Thomas Tuchel’s side this summer.
Chelsea Set To Miss Out On Hakimi: Big Blow For Tuchel?
Hakimi is a capable defender at the back as he can time his tackles well to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm in the game. The 31-time Morocco international is a quick and agile wide player who can make some impressive runs to the byline and whip in a few inviting crosses into the danger area.
The Inter star has often been used as a right-winger but can also operate in both full-back positions or as a right wing-back if needed. His versatility and offensive productivity make him an excellent option for the Blues ahead of the new campaign.
However, Hakimi’s preference to move to PSG over Chelsea will be a massive blow for Tuchel as he would have been a perfect candidate to play as his primary right wing-back at Stamford Bridge in the coming seasons. At 22, the Moroccan sensation has what it takes to be a success story in the Premier League, so it’s a shame that Chelsea are now facing the possibility of missing out on him this summer. The West London club will now have no choice but to turn their attention to some of the other targets if they want to strengthen the squad for the new season.
