Theo Hernandez has not had the best of starts to the season compared to his usual high standards, and the full-back must change gear to get the AC Milan machine fully working again.
Calciomercato.com recall that Theo wrote ‘Never give up!’ on his social media after the Napoli match, and after a subdued start to the campaign that must apply to him too. He is a pivotral driving force in the team, a strong point of the project and the vice-captain, but Milan need to find the real Theo.
His performance is a talking point and, for the second time in a row, Pioli also spoke about it in his conference: “If we were able to give each of us 1% more then we could truly reach a very high level. Improving comes from playing matches with a mentality and making logical choices.”
Theo is now 26 years of age and thus is getting close to what most would consider to be the finished article, and yet he has the lowest amount of goals at this point of the season compared to any of his previous years at Milan.
Last year he had one goal (against Udinese) and an assist, and this season there are some worrying numbers. The average of total shots per game (1.1 compared to 2.6 last year) is down, as well as shots on target (0.3 compared to 0.5), touches in the opponent’s area (2.3 compared to 6.7) and duels won (3.4 versus 6.1).
Against Napoli however, even in an anonymous performance, the full-back made four key passes, more than anyone else on the pitch, creating four scoring opportunities for his side that players like Reijnders should have taken.
What is to blame? The change in formation might have something to answer for given the 4-3-3 left him more space to get forward and freedom to roam the field. The difficulty with the new formation arises above all from the presence of a left midfielder, Reijnders mostly, who finds himself operating in similar areas.
The Dutchman has sometimes arguably been a hindrance and has limited the once lethal combinations with Leao on the right side. Theo has less space to overlap and less ground to run inside into.
Furthermore, Milan are developing a style built around greater ball possession and uses less of the counter-attacking weapons, an area where he excels and which often meant that he was forgiven for some defensive flaws.
He received five yellow cards in his first six matches in Serie A, too many if compared to the seven he received in the entire last year, and some were due to silly fouls and even dissent.
What about his future? Theo Hernandez and Milan are linked by a contract until 2026. The idea and common will is to continue together, while a possible renewal could happen, even if actual negotiations have not yet started.
Any chance there’s trouble at home? Two kids… Zoe…. Stress of parenthood? Is he sleeping enough?
Or is there trouble and confusion in Pioli land?
I’ve said it on the pre season that the 4-3-3 would hinder the Theo-Leao connection as there’s a mezzala in between. Theo has less space. And that inverted wing back (altho we haven’t seen it again recently) didn’t help either.
Yep especially the way Pioli is playing it. He’s not collapsing the midfield which would free up space on the wings
It’s not about the formation mate, it’s about how you are planning to use this formation, the tactics are important. Just my opinion, but the way Pioli want his players to play, a 4231 with a defensive number 10 and a false 9 would work the best.