AC Milan are on the cusp of being Serie A champions once more. Quite a bit has modified for the reason that 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. May effectively show to be iconic.pic.twitter.com/i0dwpovR7P
— Get Italian Soccer Information (@_GIFN) Could 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 obtained 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 essential 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 finally accomplished in 2019. Since then, Hernandez has racked up 18 targets 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 targets for AC Milan than Theo Hernandez (11) this season.
🥵 None extra necessary than final night time’s stunner vs Atalanta pic.twitter.com/KJRcRKIfnE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) Could 16, 2022
Hernandez’s fast 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. Due to this fact, it’s clear that Milan wish to funnel their assaults shortly by means of him.
Pioli trusts Hernandez to select up the ball and drive on the opposition. The workforce is dependent upon large switches of play. Hernandez is extra attack-minded than the appropriate wingback (often Davide Calabria).
Theo Hernandez’s recreation by numbers vs Atalanta:
100% tackles gained (5/5)
100% aerial duels gained
75 whole touches
6 ball recoveries
3 tried dribbles
2 profitable dribbles
1 aim scoredA aim to recollect. 🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/N0LDCfggHx
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) Could 16, 2022
That’s the reason the Rossoneri think about him one of many first names on the workforce sheet. Fact be advised, they don’t also have a worthy substitute. Theo Hernandez has actually made Milan his residence, and 2021-22 was simply one other step up in his quickly ascending profession.
Reside wire on the left
Theo Hernandez’s offensive evolution has aided Milan’s ascent up the desk. He can rating mazy targets, long-range belters, and ship lethal crosses. Nonetheless, what has additionally been unimaginable to look at is how his reference to Rafael Leao has blossomed. The pair are one of the vital harmful mixtures in Europe. Probably 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 targets
🅰️13 assistsAmong the finest strikers among the many defenders. 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/cEAsHWrQaT
— Soccer Expertise Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) Could 12, 2021
Hernandez was a manner 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 acquired 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 fee of round 80%. Pioli desires 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’s 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 together with his brother, Lucas, within the backline. Hernandez needed to look forward to a long-time on order for this to turn into a actuality. Milan are and not using a actually true famous person, save for the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
What an unimaginable signing, Theo Hernández. Paolo Maldini wished 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 desires to remain.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) Could 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 excellent signing. Maldini deserves the foremost share of credit score for bringing Hernandez and furbishing a workforce round him which fits all weapons blazing.