Inter full-back Denzel Dumfries has vowed to help the fans forget about Achraf Hakimi and stressed he doesn’t ‘feel the pressure’ of replacing the Moroccan. ‘Now, it’s my turn’.
Hakimi arrived from Real Madrid ahead of 2020-21 and made a massive impact at right-back, contributing seven goals and 10 assists in Serie A.
The 22-year-old was a key player in the Nerazzurri squad that lifted the Scudetto for the first time in 11 years under Antonio Conte but was sacrificed this summer to help the club financially.
Dumfries was brought in to replace the Morocco international and has appeared in 10 competitive games with the Beneamata.
He was asked if he feels the pressure of replacing the former Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid player, but stressed he has the confidence to grab the opportunity at San Siro.
“Hakimi’s heir? I don’t feel this pressure,” Dumfries told SportMediaset. “He had a great season. He did a great job, but now it’s my turn.
“I believe in myself, and I know that my moment will arrive.”
Inter picked up their first win in the Champions League this week and are currently preparing for the big game against Juventus this weekend.
“The win over Sheriff was important, especially after the defeat to Lazio,” the Dutchman added. “It was fundamental to bounce back, and we did it in the best possible way.
“It was also important as we aim to qualify, we did a great job.”
The 25-year-old said he had to adapt to Simone Inzaghi’s system at Inter and the new surroundings in Milan.
“There’s a totally new system compared to the one I was used to playing in,” he added. “Even the environment, the country, the people. Everything was new.
“Sometimes it’s a bit difficult, but I try to do my best and I try to do it every day.”
Looking forward to the game against the Bianconeri, Dumfries expects a big challenge.
“A historic match where two great clubs meet,” he said. “I think two of the greatest Italian teams.
“I’m focused on the match. It will be a great game.”
#Inter, #Dumfries allontana #Hakimi: ‘Ora è il mio turno, non sento la pressione’. Sulla #Juve e sul gioco di Inzaghi… https://t.co/46caboNlsh pic.twitter.com/WjfdYPhPca
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) October 22, 2021
First of all, please score more than Darmian.
His defence is surprise me though (positive).
I’m a inter fan, he ain’t even half as good as hakimi.. he runs ahead too early… then there’s no space for him to attack