Former Fiorentina fullback Manuel Pasqual has weighed in on the importance of Inter wingback Achraf Hakimi over the past season, and has suggested that the Moroccans qualities will prove difficult to replace should he leave.
In a revealing interview with TMW radio, the former Fiorentina player praised Hakimi’s powerful running and ability to unsettle opposition, a quality which is rare and would be troublesome for the Nerazzurri to lose in new coach Simone Inzaghi’s first season.
Pasqual made nearly four-hundred Serie A appearances with Fiorentina and Empoli during his playing career, and recognizes the special talents of Hakimi who is “incredibly difficult in one-on-one situations,” a key facet of Inter’s attacking plan under Antonio Conte.
However, the former Fiorentina man expressed some optimism that new coach Simone Inzaghi can continue Conte’s work provided that the squad is not dismantled, even if the 22-year-old wingback is sold.
Pasqual also expressed surprise at the managerial changes at the top of Serie A recently, remarking that “it must be close to a record” for managerial changes in a short window in the division with Conte’s departure along with Andrea Pirlo’s dismissal as Juventus manager the most notable managerial changes.
