Theo Hernandez has ended up at the centre of scrutiny after he failed to keep pace for Parma’s two goals on Saturday, and a report has claimed he is a symbol for AC Milan’s start to the season.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, for the first Parma goal Theo saw the run from Dennis Man but did not change pace. When he tries to do so, Man was already ahead of him and he scored with ease. Second goal: Parma countered three on two, Theo failed to catch up with Cancellieri who got the winner.
The questions that followed pertained to a lack or energy and potentially underestimating the danger, but either way as a vice captain it is difficult to accept. The issue is not knowing how to defend, because Theo certainly does.
The left-back started training at Milanello on August 3 and wasn’t on the USA tour because he had a vacation after the European Championship, which means that he will not yet be 100% and his condition will improve.
The rest, however, depends on him. Alessandro Costacurta’s words come to mind: “Pavlovic’s ability to want to stop the opponent was excellent. An attitude that, it seems, Theo Hernandez doesn’t have.”
The mercato talk may have had an impact. Theo uttered a worrying phrase during the European Championship: “Whether I will stay at Milan or not, we will see later.” Bayern Munich’s interest was real, but conditional on Alphonso Davies leaving for Real Madrid which he did not.
Thus, Theo Hernandez from Marseille is the perfect symbol of Milan’s season. He has more talent than almost all his opponents, he started badly, he has lost some of the pillars of continuity such as his friend Brahim Diaz and coach Stefano Pioli, but there are margins for growth.
The next few months will depend more on his head than on his legs. The doubts that apply to Theo also apply to the team.