Theo Hernandez didn’t have the best of games as AC Milan drew 2-2 against Fiorentina last night. In addition to missing chances in attack, the full-back struggled to keep things tight in defence, asserting his question-mark status
Just as the season has been disappointing for Milan as a team, the same can definitely be said about Hernandez on an individual front. There have obviously been some good games from the Frenchman, but his lowest level has been much lower than in previous seasons.
Unfortunately, yesterday’s game against Fiorentina was an example of that due to various reasons, struggling in both phases of the game. What to do with Hernandez ahead of next season, especially given the expiring contract in 2026, thus remains a question mark.
Unacceptable behaviour
In many games this season, we have often seen defensive struggles for Hernandez, while in attack he has often been useful. Yesterday, however, he struggled in both phases as a couple of really good counter-attacking opportunities were squandered, while the defending was embarrassing at times.
On Fiorentina’s goal, as we highlighted in our ratings, Hernandez looked over his shoulder and spotted La Viola’s full-back Dodo. However, he still failed to pick up the Brazilian when the ball (as expected) did arrive, making things very easy for the opponent.
The poor defending continued throughout the game, with Dodo running riot on Milan’s left flank, and the 27-year-old also had a very unprofessional moment. In the 41st minute, after Dodo appealed for a penalty, Theo ended up in an argument with the Fiorentina man and stopped playing completely.
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— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) April 5, 2025
As Fiorentina attacked down Milan’s left-hand side, Hernandez was busy arguing with Dodo, leaving the flank open as Rafael Leao hadn’t had time to track back. You could argue that since a Fiorentina player was also involved, it’s +0, but that’s not really the case.
Because Dodo, while important for Fiorentina, isn’t a given in the attacking phase as he’s ultimately a full-back. Hernandez, meanwhile, is definitely a given in Milan’s defensive phase so instead of helping out his teammates, he decided to argue (and for what?).
Put simply, it’s unacceptable behaviour from the Frenchman who has displayed poor mentality all season. Arguments take place all the time in football, that’s true, but rarely while play is still going on and it could have been more costly for Milan.
Question mark persists
Taking all of the above into consideration, we are none the wiser when it comes to Hernandez’s future at the club. The current contract will expire in 2026 and while both parties have expressed a willingness to renew, there hasn’t been great progress.
Milan are worried about Hernandez’s recent performance, or rather the performances all season, and have thus taken their foot off the gas. They did the same with Mike Maignan and the goalkeeper fought his way back, proving why he deserves the renewal, at least based on the last couple of games.
Hernandez, on the other hand, has only shown that he’s still one of the world’s best left-backs in quick bursts. The question mark persists, in other words, and the Milan management is facing a difficult decision even if it’s clear that a free transfer cannot be accepted.
It’s not a question mark. He can not be part of the team next season.
His performances, as bad as they are, are not as bad as his behavior. Can’t have a player liked that poisoning your locker room, no matter how fast he can run on the counter, since that’s the only thing he brings to the game.
Theo has never had a good game. He feels too big and can’t help the team.
He needs to be sold as soon as possible
Theo was never a good defender. In my opinion
, he should play like a winger and he would do a better job than as a defender. He can run fast, and occasionally shoot well in the goal, 0 defending skills whatsoever
Ye i agree, i feel like he play as a wing back if anything except he cant defend, for example, yesterday dodo packed this guy up honestly,the amount of times dodo got past him and was jus toying with him… theo was never in the right position at most times and was too far up allowing the la viola midfield to do a through cross to dodo allowing him easily to run past theo.
Use him as LM in 442 system , otherwise bench him
4-4-1-1
Florenzi(RB)-Walker(CB)-Gabia(CB)-Pavlovic(LB
Pulisic(RM)-Fofana(CM)-Tijjani(CM)-Jimenez(LM
———-Abraham(CF)-Jovic or Leao(SS)————-
From bench: Theo-LM , Chukwu/Sottil-RM ,Bondo–CM, Gimenez–CF , Tomori–CB+Walker–RB
You just need to have balls to try something new instead of playing already seen $hit 30 times.
Theo always looks uninterested to defender , have been watching him for a long while , that eagerness to defend he doesn’t close space allow cross , theo of way back wouldn’t. I hope his not betting cause after the camera man showed him and dodo talking after the card , dodo scored thank God he was offline just off
Theo can’t be part of the project moving forward… Renew him to sell him and move on.
As much as I agree with all the reasons why Theo needs to leave. He must.
The effect on Leao concerns me. He always has more impact when he has Theo to interact with. They know each others movements and abilities so well.
Leao will have a dip in form without him.
Although his defending has always been suspect since forever, what worries me the most is his attitude. You can have all the talent in the world, if you have a bad attitude like he does, you will not go very far.
To imagine that he is a supposed leader in the team and has worn the captain’s armband a lot of times is shameful on his part & a disgrace to the club.