AC Milan are on the cusp of being Serie A champions once more. So much has modified because the final time they had been on prime in 2011. Stefano Pioli has labored wonders since his appointment in 2019. The squad is younger, balanced, and hungry for extra. One of many shining lights over the course of the season has been Theo Hernandez.
Theo Hernandez’s aim v Atalanta yesterday. Might effectively show to be iconic.pic.twitter.com/i0dwpovR7P
— Get Italian Soccer Information (@_GIFN) May 16, 2022
The electrifying left wing again has been a key cog within the system. Hernandez has actually had his critics all through his younger profession. The French worldwide was as soon as despatched out on mortgage to Alaves.
The present glitz of Milan is a far cry from these nights, extra so as a result of Alaves simply received relegated. So, how did Hernandez find yourself at Milan, the place he has developed into one of many world’s finest at his place?
An offensive weapon
Theo Hernandez has been an offensive behemoth ever since becoming a member of Milan. It was sporting director Paolo Maldini who had the important hand in negotiations. Hernadez was at Actual Sociedad when he had a gathering with Maldini in Ibiza. The previous Milan defender pushed for his signing and it was ultimately accomplished in 2019. Since then, Hernandez has racked up 18 objectives and 13 assists within the league over three seasons.
🔴⚫ Solely Rafael Leao (17) and Olivier Giroud (12) have performed a direct hand in additional Serie A objectives for AC Milan than Theo Hernandez (11) this season.
🥵 None extra essential than final night time’s stunner vs Atalanta pic.twitter.com/KJRcRKIfnE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 16, 2022
Hernandez’s speedy change of tempo and skill to hold the ball units him aside. He averaged 6.56 progressive carries per 90 with 1.63 dribbles accomplished per 90. Subsequently, it’s clear that Milan wish to funnel their assaults shortly by means of him.
Pioli trusts Hernandez to choose up the ball and drive on the opposition. The group is determined by massive switches of play. Hernandez is extra attack-minded than the correct wingback (often Davide Calabria).
Theo Hernandez’s recreation by numbers vs Atalanta:
100% tackles gained (5/5)
100% aerial duels gained
75 complete touches
6 ball recoveries
3 tried dribbles
2 profitable dribbles
1 aim scoredA aim to recollect. 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/N0LDCfggHx
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 16, 2022
That’s the reason the Rossoneri take into account him one of many first names on the group sheet. Reality be instructed, they don’t actually have a worthy substitute. Theo Hernandez has actually made Milan his dwelling, and 2021-22 was simply one other step up in his quickly ascending profession.
Dwell wire on the left
Theo Hernandez’s offensive evolution has aided Milan’s ascent up the desk. He can rating mazy objectives, long-range belters, and ship lethal crosses. Nevertheless, what has additionally been unimaginable to observe is how his reference to Rafael Leao has blossomed. The pair are one of the harmful mixtures in Europe. Essentially the most fascinating half about all of that is that no one actually noticed this improvement coming.
Theo Hernández all-time stats for AC Milan:
✅79 video games
⚽️15 objectives
🅰️13 assistsTop-of-the-line strikers among the many defenders. 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/cEAsHWrQaT
— Soccer Expertise Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) May 12, 2021
Hernandez was a means down the pecking order at each Atletico and Actual Madrid. A strong season with Sociedad in 2018-19 was the important thing to turning issues round. Hernandez has slotted in seamlessly within the four-man backline.
Furthermore, he additionally data 2.77 progressive passes obtained and was concerned in 84 shot-creating actions. 15 of these developed into goal-creating actions.
5️⃣ sélections 🇫🇷
4️⃣ passes décisives 🎯
1️⃣ however ⚽️🔥 @TheoHernandez #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/p4qsLCoKAA
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) March 26, 2022
Hernandez retains a move completion charge of round 80%. Pioli needs Hernandez to give attention to the attacking facets because the defence has a double pivot screening them. Moreover, Fikayo Tomori is extraordinarily versatile throughout the road and may cowl for Hernandez. That’s the reason there may be not a lot workload in monitoring again for Hernandez if an assault breaks down.
A daily for membership and nation
Theo Hernandez’s explosion on the top-level has seen him break into Les Bleus squad. He pairs up along with his brother, Lucas, within the backline. Hernandez needed to look ahead to a long-time on order for this to change into a actuality. Milan are with out a actually true famous person, save for the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
What an unimaginable signing, Theo Hernández. Paolo Maldini needed him in any respect prices three years in the past, after a gathering with Theo himself in Ibiza… and invested €20m to signal him for AC Milan. 🔴🇫🇷 #ACMilan
Theo lately prolonged his contract till June 2026, he solely needs to remain.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 15, 2022
That’s the reason Hernandez has settled in much more properly. He has had not the highlight shone a lot on him like his earlier golf equipment. There’s not a lot competitors, which was not the case at Actual Madrid.
Alongside Leao, Tomori, Franck Kessie, and others, Hernandez has been an outstanding signing. Maldini deserves the most important share of credit score for bringing Hernandez and furbishing a group round him which matches all weapons blazing.
