In 2014 when Pablo Hernandez joined Qatari club Al-Arabi, the former Valencia winger would have thought his career would be in its final leg. However, a loan spell to Leeds United in the 206-17 season made the Whites believe in his worth as they went on to sign him on a permanent basis in 2017. Since then, the 33-year-old has been an essential member of the Whites squad in all their managerial changes, and Marcelo Bielsa took over, he has transformed into a real asset.
The player has been nominated for the ‘Player of the Month’ award for August and is certainly doing his bit in pushing the Whites towards their Premier League dream, even at the age of 33. The Spaniard has received some high praise from his Argentine manager, who he went on to say,”He is one of the best players in his position I have worked with in my career. I think he is the player in our team who has had the biggest influence in our games so far. He can find a solution to a problem anywhere on the pitch and is always making the team more fluid with what he does. He is a silent leader for us – he does all these things without saying a word.”
On being asked how he has improved the Spaniard to which Bielsa replied,”I think he can make me a better head coach. I see solutions he is finding and decisions he is taking, that I only saw a very few times during my career.” Mind you this is a manager who has coached the likes of Dimitri Payet, Alexis Sanchez and Maxi Rodriguez in such positions so that is definitely a huge praise coming from the gaffer.
Hernandez is a perfect ode to what Bielsa wants from a player as he is a quick thinker and an intelligent player, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t do the hard yards on the pitch as when not in possession, he is often seen hustling up opponents by pressing them down. His ability to pick out passes is exceptional, and he is at his most effective, winning the ball back in and around the final third. His cross-field diagonals are one to watch out for, and the former Spanish international has even contributed by scoring some beautiful goals.
However, the manager will need to be smart in managing his workload. The 33-year-old missed out the crucial encounter against Middlesbrough due to fatigue and muscle issues. Young Jack Harrison did show some bright signs, but he is definitely not in the same bracket as Hernandez.
Even as a wide player, he may not be the quickest on the pitch but his close control and ball playing abilities allow him to make an impact even without bursting pace. Surely, he is a player who will only make Bielsa’s system all the more effective at Elland Road.
