Theo Hernandez is the subject of focus after AC Milan’s Champions League journey ended last night, and a report has claimed that he is likely to leave in the summer.
Calciomercato.com reports that Theo has reached ‘the point of no return’ after a red card resulting from two yellow cards in eight minutes. Milan were 1-0 up on the night and level in the tie, then the sending off put his team-mates in difficulty and they would ultimately crash out.
Around €11m in UEFA prize money plus the additional takings from a last 16 tie against Inter or Arsenal went up in smoke with that red card, but probably also Theo’s time at Milan too. This is the most complicated period since his arrival in the summer of 2019 and the end credits are near.
Increasingly poor performances on the field and a lack of calm due to ‘off-field events, – including the complicated negotiations for the extension of the contract expiring in June 2026 – mean that Theo is stuck in a rut.
In the past few weeks, an agreement in principle had been reached on the figures and duration of the new contract, thanks to Theo Hernandez’s strong desire to stay at the club. However, after those talks in December things went quiet, and a stalemate has developed.
The arrival of a new coach after the dismissal of Paulo Fonseca – with whom the relationship was anything but idyllic – and several changes within the team may have forced reflections, as demonstrated by the winter transfer window.
The fact remains that Theo Hernandez has long since ceased to be the elite left-back that fans adored and that helped contribute to the 2021-22 Scudetto and the run to the Champions League semi-final the season after.
He has never given the impression of finding his best form after returning from the European Championship and – except for a few memorable moments like the Supercoppa Italiana final – he has instead continued to decline.
Despite his strong ties to the club, the suspicion is that something inside Theo began to change with the farewell of his idol and mentor Paolo Maldini, fired by the owner Gerry Cardinale in the summer of 2023.
That was then couple with the sacking of the coach who ‘valued him more than anyone else’ at the club: Stefano Pioli. This brings us to the unfortunate evening of February 18, which could be the moment that things definitively broke.
Un IDIOTA!!! El que culpe a CONCEICAO 14/15 PUNTOS llego y en DÍAS campeón de SUPERCOPA. Los CULPABLES ACÁ SON GABBIA, MUSAH, MIKE Y AHORA EL MEDIOCRE DE THEO!!!
What kind of rubbish fanfiction article is this?
I think there is always a point of return, if Theo does from now on what he was in the beginning: being the left back of a football team named AC Milan and become a little bit more humble. I don’t see that happening though.
The guy is a professional athlete, someone paid millions every year, and he literally walks on the pitch and gets stupid red cards here and there like if he was a Sunday league enthusiast… I loved Theo, I supported him all along and was hoping for his return to his peak… Everything vanished from yesterday’s actions, no matter how good you are Milan comes always first, and yesterday he couldn’t care less about my team
I think we’re seeing that the Maldini sacking is is the catalyst for a lot of the lingering ‘culture’ issues at Milan.
Not getting into a debate about Maldini’s merits as a Director and some of the transfer decisions, but his status as a mentor and a touchstone for some of those players seems indisputable.
They saw somebody who is a living legend at the club summarily dismissed and that clearly has had a negative psychological effect that hasn’t been undone. On Theo most of all.
OK many of the most talented guys from the scudetto season are gone. But Theo and Leao aren’t. When your two most gifted players are only half heartedly into it, it’s a big problem as we’ve seen. Not defending or justifying their effort, just looking at the root cause.
Yea that maybe true but I also just think generally players have cycles, I think Theo is in too deep of a comfort zone at Milan he needs to leave to try get back to those lvls, he was actually playing well until the cards but this has happened to often he clearly isn’t all the way committed anymore
Worlds best LB is going no where. This is not true. Theo is staying and he will be better then ever. Theo is Milan.
World best LB ? What a joke. He isnt best in Milano let alone in the world.
Maldini leaving had nothing to do with it. He was poor in Pioli’s last season. He’s been poor under 3 coaches now, 4 if you include Deschamps – he was awful at the Euros. He married a trashy girl, he messed up his life. His Milan career is over.
Yeah Pioli’s last season of 23 – ’24 was after Maldini was fired (summer ’23). I agree he was crap that year.
Theo cons are more deadly than his pros. Literally, on multiple occasions, do an ameture mistakes, red cards, penalties, giving back ball in wrong spots.
He needs to go. Milan must cash in now before his value goes down
Holy cr*p, where did all you yanks come from suddenly?
Terrible article… this is an opinion one better keep to himself….
This a profesional sport. I think the club will siport him and hopes he resigns… so do i.
NICKY EQUALS STUPIDITY
Let theo leave Milan we don’t need him again