Could Achraf Hakimi start over Dani Carvajal for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid right back Achraf Hakimi will likely return from loan at Borussia Dortmund to compete for a starting position for Los Blancos. Because if he isn’t in contention for a starting job, he may decide to remain at Dortmund or head elsewhere in order to obtain valuable first-team minutes as a developing player.
Hakimi has been a revelation in his two seasons with Dortmund, as his loan deal couldn’t be going any better. Although he struggled against Bayern Munich in this week’s Klassiker, Hakimi has generally been excellent in the Bundesliga’s return.
The Morocco international has assisted 10 times in the Bundesliga this season and is capable of starting at a minimum of four different positions. He’s been used as an inverted left back, a left winger, a right winger, and, most commonly, a right back who focuses on attacking.
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But Real Madrid already have La Liga’s best right back in Dani Carvajal, who, despite Hakimi’s rise and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s briliance for Liverpool, may still be Europe’s best right back.
Carvajal had his issues at times in 2019-2020, especially against world-class left wingers like Raheem Sterling of Manchester City when he came in as a substitute in the Champions League Round of 16.
But even accounting for a couple of off days, Carvajal was excellent. He was solid defensively and tied Toni Kroos for second on the team in La Liga assists with five.
However, Carvajal was overworked last season. He needs a backup player, and since Alvaro Odriozola will likely get another loan deal for 2020-2021, he may have a time-share with Hakimi.
The problem is that Hakimi is too good to be a backup. Carvajal’s five assists are impressive, but they pale in comparison to what Hakimi has done for Dortmund. Now, Dortmund are a more attacking team in a more attacking league, and Hakimi plays a more forward role at right back than Carvajal despite the two having the same position in-name. And that doesn’t even account for all the time Hakimi spends as a winger.
Still, in the modern game, attacking is at a premium, even at fullback. And since Real Madrid already have the world’s best defensive fullback in Ferland Mendy, they can afford to push Hakimi higher up the pitch, especially to support an inverted right winger in Marco Asensio across from a traditional winger in Eden Hazard.
So in that sense, Hakimi could be a better fit in the lineup than Carvajal, even if Carvajal is the more advanced right back. Real Madrid used to have Carvajal or Alvaro Arbeloa as the defensive right back across from the attacking Marcelo at left back, so they could flip this paradigm with a Mendy and Hakimi pairing.
Hakimi has a chance to start at right winger and replace Gareth Bale, too, especially if Asensio suits up elsewhere and Rodrygo Goes still needs time to develop his game. However, Hakimi’s impressive displays at Dortmund and ability to influence the attack – in addition to his searing pace compared to Carvajal’s declining speed – already make him a threat to Carvajal at right back.