Javier Hernandez has long been one of the hottest prospects for his country and club, regardless of whatever club he’s played for. He is a godly figure back in Mexico and in recent years, he had the responsibility of carrying his country into several major competitive tournaments.
However, it’s not just Mexico where the striker has managed to prove his skills because Javier Hernandez is also a potent figure for his club Bayer Leverkusen. Since joining the German giants in 2015, the Mexican frontline striker has managed to get past the double digits mark in each of his two seasons in the Rhine district.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Javier Hernandez, more commonly knows as ‘Chicharito’ is heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United reportedly craving for his signature.
Now, Javier Hernandez’s career might not have panned out in the exact same fashion as many of us had predicted when he first arrived in England, signing for Mancester United.
Having forced into the role to play as a super sub in most period of his time at Manchester United, Chicharito made a loan move to Real Madrid, which never really developed into something big before ending up at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015.
But, that’s not to say, however, that he lacks the predatory instincts a striker must have in order to thrive as a regular goalgetter. In fact, even now, at 29 years of age, Javier Hernandez remains one of the most instinctively fierce strikers in the whole of America.
Strengths
Put simply, Hernandez is a predator, who is, by no means, a small scale player, who can only score in ‘Mickey Mouse leagues’. Well, no he isn’t. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. To make my point more clear, let’s go back to his loan spell at Real Madrid.
It might have failed to turn into something big but regardless, then Real coach Rafael Benitez was spot on with the signing of Javier Hernandez in the first place. The Mexican had to compete with world class forwards such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema just to get a spot in the starting eleven.
Yet, he turned out to be, quite truly, a great signing for Los Blancos. Not only did he replace Benzema(at the time he was injured), but also churned out as many as eight goals from only 11 starts! Which only proves his credential as a striker who belongs to the top drawer.
While, I won’t go as far as saying he’s a Luis Suarez or as good as him for that matter, but Chicharito is clearly the definition of a proper striker who is hardened by years of experience.
One of his finest traits as a striker is his willingness to run to in behind and no, we’re not talking about the general runs in behind the defense and getting caught by the offside once or twice. Chicharito’s runs have proved to be unbelievably fruitful for his sides, in recent years at least. He has his own creativity dipped into the movements that he makes. He can drop back, find space or make runs from the center of the defence.
Another key factor about the former Manchester United player is his patience and temperament. He never gives up even if his side fails to unlock the shackles of the opposition. His link up play has also evolved into one of his most prized assets at Leverkusen. More importantly, he’s a proven goal getter. At every club he competed at, Chicharito ended up with an admirable number of goals.
Weaknesses
Like any other striker, Javier Hernandez also lacks few of the key ingredients in his overall gameplay. Apparently he’s not the best when it comes to making a perfect first touch, something which can be cause for concern especially when you are playing in the high pressured Premier League. He also tends to get a bit infuriated with his teammates if they fail to provide him with enough creativity and scoring chances.
Opportunities
Javier Hernandez will make a huge impact on West Ham, as most of their attackers have been pretty poor over the years. He should be able to lead the Hammers attacking line, with players like Manuel Lanzini and Andre Ayew setting up chances one after another.
For Spurs, however, it could be a entire different story as he only have to content with being just a backup for Harry Kane. Mauricio Pochettino on the other hand will be very glad if they manage a backup striker as good as Chicharito nonetheless.
Threats
One criticism which always hits the Mexican International is the fact that he is yet to make a major impact in the Premier League. He may have scored 37 goals in 103 appearances in the English top flight but most of it came as a substitute and not leading the pack.
So a move to West Ham United makes more sense to the Bayer Leverkusen star but will he able to cope with the pressure of leading the Hammers to PL success or will he be another fruitless offensive signing for West Ham United? Time will tell!
