Achraf Hakimi (26), Paris Saint-Germain’s right-back, will not be getting a backup this summer. According to Le Parisien, PSG coach Luis Enrique believes that Warren Zaïre-Emery (19) and João Neves (21) will be sufficient to cover the position if needed.
The Asturian manager believes he already has what he needs to cover for his usual starter.
Luis Enrique considers that he has enough options to step in for his regular right-back, who was heavily relied upon last season. Looking back, Hakimi’s performance was quite exceptional: he missed no major games, suffered no significant injuries, and delivered top-class displays in the Champions League. At 26, Achraf Hakimi is in the form of his life, at the peak of his powers — a true war machine that still needs to be protected to avoid burnout.
“At PSG, the role doesn’t require being a traditional defender.”
In Paris, the right-back role doesn’t require being a pure defender. Even Achraf Hakimi, a full-back by trade, is expected to be part of the build-up play, often stepping into midfield and even acting as a fourth attacker at times. From PSG’s point of view, this gives weight to the idea of using João Neves and Warren Zaïre-Emery as temporary replacements — especially during the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (December 21 – January 18), which will sideline the Moroccan international for several weeks.
So why would PSG look for a Hakimi backup? The Moroccan is simply unmatched in his role. More of a midfielder or even an occasional forward than a classic full-back, he requires a more creative alternative than a traditional defender. Luis Enrique has already shown he’s happy to adapt with versatile players when Hakimi is unavailable, and so far, it’s worked out quite well.
That said, PSG will likely need one or two more players in more advanced areas — midfield, attacking midfield, or forward — to maintain balance. The club still needs versatile profiles that Luis Enrique can maximize in his system. Hakimi will leave only scraps for any backup, barring injury — so it makes sense to work with what’s already available.
