Theo Hernandez has struggled in the last few months, failing to live up to expectations at AC Milan, and his contract renewal is not a certainty either. Gazzetta dello Sport has taken stock of the situation.
The left-back has been a crucial player since his arrival in 2019, always adding something to his game each season. This time out, however, he has struggled in both phases of the game and yesterday’s clash against Atalanta was another example with that.
Negative trend continues
Yesterday, as Gazzetta dello Sport highlights, we saw a Hernandez with his head down. He was surprised by Raoul Bellanova on the left flank, and he was beaten by Charles De Ketelaere on the first goal. The episodes, more specifically poor moments, keep repeating themselves week after week.
The left-back no longer appears to be his true self. In fact, it looks like he has arrived at the end of the line, physically as well as mentally, on a five-year journey that began in 2019. And perhaps these could be his last few months before a farewell.
The current moment is certainly the worst since he arrived at the club, on and off the pitch, with Milan currently sitting 12 points off first place in the standings. Not to mention the controversial video of the alleged assault on a girl, published by Fabrizio Corona.
Against Atalanta, we saw a couple of Hernandez-esque players, above all the pass that led to Alvaro Morata’s goal. The rest of the game, however, was negative and difficult, with a body language that wasn’t that of a champion.
His renewal with Milan
The key issue now is the future: the renewal and the mercato. Hernandez’s contract with Milan expires in June 2026 and we have arrived at a crossroads: renew or sell. The problem will come to life in the summer, unless the Rossoneri renew him first.
There have been some meetings, as per the newspaper, but an agreement is not in the pipeline and the current form makes this difficult. Over the years, Hernandez has also lost reference points at Milan: Paolo Maldini, Brahim Diaz and Samu Castillejo.
Therefore, now more than ever, a departure for Hernandez appears reasonable. It remains to be seen who Milan will call, and with what proposal.
Sell him in January! He is responsible for so many points lost this season. His value is going to be lower in the summer. Make Gabbia the new captain too in the remaining matches.
I’ve previously been of the view that he would be the most difficult player of ours to replace as he offensively was at the absolute pinacle of the sport amongst backs and that despite of his defensive flaws. This season he has been an absolute train wreck in the defensive phase of his game and even though he still somewhat contributes in the offensive part of the game it isn’t really on the same level either.
Even his diving and complaining has gone up a few notches and quite frankly no defender with half a brain would do that in their own penalty box and especially nowadays with VAR implemented as it is simply too risky and a battle destined to be lost.
I tend to agree with you at this point though and there simply is no way in hell i would offer him the 8 mil a year he seemingly is requesting at this point of time.
I love how Theo play, he has speed. Know ‘s how to attack and also help in defence…but really this year our backs are totally bad….yesterday somewhere around 80th minutes I think about Royal, how he improved and is better from match to match and then again goal from his side… I don’t really know but I think we lost around 5 matches this season because of him . Yes even if Calabria played, we concide second goal, but still , he is not good enough for Premier league and Seria A .. maybe League 1 or Turkish league and I don’t see him in our squad next season. With Theo there is mental problem i think and this is Fonseca false…
I know Zlatan don’t want another manager but after half of season, he show us he is not good for club like Milan.
My favorite player in the squad, but one cannot argue with the level he demonstrates this season. He seems almost like a shadow of his former self.
He’s in a slump. Has 2 much quality to remain in a slump tho. We all know what he can do when he’s in form.
Think we should use this slump and get a favourable contract signed.
And if he doesn’t get over it, we can still sell him later on…
My 2 cents.
Definitely gotta get a backup lb and pass on the captaincy tho
There will be no renewal. He has been out (mentally) for half a year now. Soon he’ll be physically out too. He doesn’t want to stay. Clearly.
You simply can’t say that Fonseca is the problem when it is individual mistakes. Also, Fonseca beat both Inter and Real Madrid so he IS a Milan calibre manager