At 25 years of age, as a footballer, you’re entering your peak. If you’re a forward, that is. You’ve learnt your trade, you’ve looked after your body and you have the mental edge over your younger opponents, while holding the legs over the older. This is the case with Javier Hernandez. The 25-year-old is in his prime, ready to punish people with his incredible poaching skills, yet he’s still unable to do so because of Robin van Persie.
Now, with the Mirror reporting that the Mexican is ready to leave, Chicharito fans can get excited.
The nippy forward has warmed the bench for most of his United career, which is understandable considering they type of players he’s up against at Old Trafford. While van Persie is pulling off defenders and dropping inside, Wayne Rooney is rampaging round the pitch trying to make things happen. Hernandez, on the other hand, is best when he is floating round inside the opposition penalty area, working space for himself and getting under the defenders’ skin.
Last season he played just four full league games yet scored 10 goals. He was used as a substitute at times but that’s a pretty impressive record.
Hernandez is a goalscorer, and a fine one at that, and at a club who are looking for someone to stand in the box and rack up their goal tally he would be ideal.
The trouble is, most sides now play just one striker, with a plethora of creative talent just behind, interchanging at will, and can’t afford to have a player not tracking back and putting themselves into tackles.
Perhaps Tottenham, with the amount of midfield warriors they hold, could afford a luxury striker, as neither Roberto Soldado or Jermain Defoe offer anything going back.
In a team which the strike force is based around him, Hernandez will thrive, and I for one am looking forward to him finding that.