Inter wing-back Denzel Dumfries has grown into a vital contributor in this Nerazzurri team, especially since his run of games in December.
This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, who compare the Dutchman’s emergence on the right side to that of the player he replaced in the summer, Achraf Hakimi.
Dumfries was signed from PSV in the summer as a necessary reinforcement on the right side of the team following Hakimi’s blockbuster sale to Paris Saint-Germain.
However, the 25-year-old did not immediately settle into the team, showing flashes of his quality but also looking to be behind Matteo Darmian in the pecking order, who was himself in great form.
However, a thigh injury to Darmian at the end of November meant that Dumfries was thrust into the regular starting role.
The Dutchman repaid the team’s faith with the run of games he had as a starter in December, helping the Nerazzurri to a perfect record in Serie A during the period, and he has continued this form in January as well.
As Tuttosport highlight, Dumfries has managed three goals and one assist during the period, to cap off broadly consistent performances.
They further note that December 2020 had been the period when the 25-year-old’s predecessor in the role Hakimi’s form in a Nerazzurri shirt had really taken off.
Dumfries had always been the Nerazzurri’s first choice to take over from Hakimi after the Moroccan’s departure despite links to options like Hector Bellerin and Nahitan Nandez, and his performances since the start of December have shown why.
