Real Madrid said goodbye to right-back Achraf Hakimi Wednesday as the promising defender signed his two-year loan deal with Borussia Dortmund. here is why this is a good thing for both Achraf and his parent club.
Just days after Los Blancos signed Spanish right-back Álvaro Odriozola, Moroccan starlet Achraf Hakimi made his loan deal to Dortmund official inking the deal in Germany earlier today. Although the 19-year-old had a breakout year in the Spanish capital, a loan deal will serve him well long-term.
As he did with Real Madrid, Hakimi will play the role of back-up with an incredibly young German side but there are a lot of positives to look at from this move. Here are just a couple Real Madrid fans should remember.
Dortmund is great at developing young players
Christian Pulisic is the name that comes to mind when thinking of the talent the yellow and black side has developed recently. With one of the best youth academy’s and coaches in the world, Achraf will definitely become a better all-around player while away from Spain.
The way in which the staff works closely with guys and helps them reach their full potential in their mid-20’s is phenomenal. In an in-depth report on the club’s mindset behind the academy and how they develop players, Murad Ahmed shows exactly why they are one of the best in the world.
Achraf will be used more frequently in Germany than in Spain
Although he will still be a backup in the Bundesliga, new manager Lucien Favre did a great job in the French league with OGC Nice in using every available player when the time was right. With the new boss, Achraf can form a nice bond of the next two seasons and try to work his way into the starting eleven maybe.
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That will be no easy task, however, as he will have to dethrone Lukasz Piszczek from the role. But, with Piszczek now 33, he could use some more time off giving the Morracan loanee more of a chance to start in league games.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Achraf started somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 percent of Dortmund’s league matches this season.
While Achraf Hakimi will be developing away from his parent club, Real Madrid fans will have a few things to keep an eye on within the club specifically at that right defensive position.
How will Álvaro Odriozola handle the pressure of Madridistas?
Former Real Sociedad starter and up and coming Spanish talent Álvaro Odriozola will be making the big step going from the small ocean town of San Sebastian to the heart of the country this season.
The talented defender was a staple of the Sociedad defense last season appearing 35 of their 38 league matches and all six of Europa League group stage matches. In just his second year with the club from the north, Odriozola drew attention from around the country and Europe alike with passing, pace, and crossing ability.
In short, these are all traits that fit a Real Madrid fullback perfectly. But, the biggest question in his first season with Los Blancos will be how well can he handle the pressure of the fanbase?
The Santiago Bernabéu is a tough place for visitors to win, but it can also be a tough place for the Real players if they do not perform to the fan’s expectations.
Dani Carvajal can mentor the younger Spanish right-back
Although it isn’t certain, the relationship between the two players who covered the right flank for Madrid in 2017/2018 seemed a little distant. Carvajal and Achraf were never seen discussing tactics on the sideline during matches or interacting much at all in training.
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With Odriozola, Dani should have a much closer relationship with his countrymen. Plus, their closeness in age should play a significant role in Álvaro’s development in his first couple seasons.
Achraf should get some good minutes in with Dortmund and Dani Carvajal should be able to help the new signing become a better player quickly. To say that this is a good move from both the club and the player would be a drastic understatement.