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Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

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‘A few years ago’: £51.3m player claims Pochettino wanted to bring him to Tottenham

Billy Meyers
Billy Meyers
Paris Saint Germain v Olympique Lyonnais - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
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Speaking to L’Equipe, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has admitted that Mauricio Pochettino wanted to sign him for Tottenham.

What’s the story?

Well, Spurs fans will wish this had happened.

In an interview with L’Equipe about Pochettino (via ), the Morocco international said: “He’s a manager I like – he likes to dominate matches with possession and play very offensively.

“A few years ago, he wanted me at Tottenham. He has a style of management and play which could help me progress.”

, following a special campaign with Inter Milan in which he won Serie A.

Amazingly, the 22-year-old scored goals and provided assists from right-back – he is an elite, attack-minded defender.

So far this season, Hakimi has already scored goals and provided assists in just Ligue 1 appearances.

Presumably, Tottenham fans won’t be pleased to hear this, as they’ll undoubtedly wonder what could’ve been.

Tottenham and Achraf Hakimi would’ve been perfect

Conte wanted Hakimi at Tottenham
Photo by ANP Sport via Getty Images

In Pochettino’s wing-back system, which saw Danny Rose and Kyle Walker thrive, Hakimi would’ve been absolutely incredible.

The former Real Madrid man has an unerring goalscoring knack from right-back, and in our view, would’ve become the best right-back in England had he joined Spurs.

Nowadays, right-back is actually a huge weak point for Spurs.

Emerson Royal has been signed for in a bid to resolve that issue, although he is yet to show he’s the man for the job.

Conte wanted Hakimi at Tottenham
Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images

Worryingly, he was torn apart by Wilfried Zaha on his debut.

Just imagining Hakimi charging up and down the right flank, with Harry Kane to pick out on the middle, is a mouthwatering prospect.

Sadly for Spurs, the PSG speedster is just getting better and better – he has surely outgrown a move to N17 now.

Ultimately, we think we’ll have to label this as a firm ‘one that got away’ situation for Tottenham – unless Pochettino returns, that is.