Moroccan football in another phase of development after Chelsea open talks to sign Achraf Hakimi
Morocco already boast one of the best grouped stars in Africa but Chelsea’s interest in Hakimi Achraf send the North African’s football to a higher level.
There is no further analysis to reach conclusion about Morocco’s position when comparing them with co-countries Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria and Algeria but the Atlas Lions are currently amongst Africa’s top five teams relational to European club football.
Yassine Bounou plays for Sevilla, Adel Taarabt for Benfica, Sofyan Amrabat for Fiorentina, Aymen Barkok for Eintracht Frankfurt, Youssef En-Nesyri for Sevilla and Munir El Haddadi for Sevilla is which is a major indicator of Moroccan football development.
Last summer the country’s development hit another high level when Hakim Ziyech switched camp from Ajax to Chelsea after the Premier League outfit announced a £33million transfer in February 2020.
Though the Moroccan International has struggled a little bit at Stamford Bridge, he contributed significantly to Chelsea’s Premier League fourth place and their Champions League glory.
Before Ziyech‘s transfer, Achraf Hakimi have had a share of Morocco gradually becoming a powerhouse in African football following his flow in the European transfer market.
On his rise to prominence in international football, the 22-year old never tasted Morocco domestic competitions as he joined Real Madrid Castilla at infancy of his professional career in 2016. In 2017, he was promoted to Madrid senior side scoring 2 goals in only nine appearances between 2017/2020.
And the limited playing time saw the Los Blancos loaned Hakimi out to Borussia Dortmund inbetween which in a way seems a decline in pedigree though but still put Morocco football into the international recognition due to the Bundesliga and Dortmund’s status in European football.
After a successful period with the German side, Hakimi joined Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan and eventually helped them lifted the Serie A title emerging as one of the Moroccan Internationals abroad to lay hands on a silverware this season.
With Morocco already seeing his players moving to bigger clubs in Europe as they gradually progress into star-studded team in Africa- now identified with countries Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria and Ivory Coast, the North African country could heighten this milestone of a feature this summer after Chelsea interested in a move for Achraf Hakimi.
The impetus interest in the Moroccan International is a resultant of César Azpilicueta ageing who has turned 31-years old. Reece James is tipped to take his place while another right back would be needed to provide a competition or back up at Chelsea for next season.
Hakimi wanted by Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has been justified in many sports outlets. Hakimi thrived in a 3-5 system at Dortmund and flourished in the same system under Conte at Inter Milan.
Tuchel’s prefers this same system in his term at West London and now sees the African star as the best man he needs to bring to Stamford Bridge revealed by Fabrizio Romano via Caughtoffside.
The transfer expert further stated that PSG are also in contention for Hakimi’s signature but the European champions are favorites to win the race.
Thomas Tuchel has reportedly asked Chelsea to open talks for Hakimi and the player’s agent has received phone calls from the Champions League winners over a potential 80million Euros deal this summer.
Inter could be forced to consider selling the Moroccan International and even consider a price cut due to financial challenges at the club from covid-19 pandemic.
If Chelsea finally land Hakimi, it will be another high level boost for Morocco football and Vahid Halilhodzic’s side will become the only African country to have two players at a time in any of Europe’s top 10 clubs of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
While AC Milan have Ismaël Bennacer, Manchester United Eric Bailly, Liverpool Mo Salah and Mane, Man City Riyad Mahrez and PSG Idrissa Gana Gueye, Chelsea will have two Moroccans Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi which will line the Atlas Lions with Senegal, Ivory Coast and Algeria.
