Theo Hernandez’s story at AC Milan is destined to end, and it is just a question of whether than happens this summer or next, a report claims.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recalls that Theo broke the record for most league goals scored by a defender in the history of Milan, surpassing his idol Paolo Maldini.
However, the most recent memory is the red card against Feyenoord on Tuesday night at San Siro, which effectively cost his team their Champions League place.
What’s more, in 32 appearances for the Rossoneri in the top European competition, Theo has never managed to score. He is unlikely to have another chance.
End of the story
There are two paths: either Theo will find another team in the summer and move in that direction (in the face of a suitable offer) or the club will take an alternative route, that is, reaching the end of the Rossoneri contract in June 2026.
In this case Hernandez would leave as a free agent. The player’s performances do not offer a third solution: the renewal is impracticable given that to move the terms of the agreement needed to move forward, largely because Theo is asking for a substantial increase in salary.
A common practice: signing a new deal and enhanced salary often go hand in hand. However, he should proceed at the same speed on the pitch, where Hernandez has had the handbrake on for some time.
An apology
Theo said sorry to his team-mates in the dressing room after the game and then posted on Instagram: “Football is unpredictable: it offers us great joys, but also painful moments. Today I feel immense frustration.
“I apologise to my teammates for leaving them with 10 men and I apologise to the fans who always support us. But this club is a family and together we will recover. Let’s all get up together. Me first. Forza Milan.”
Tuesday night’s mistake was the latest in a long list including Parma’s two goals in round two, the cooling break incident with Rafael Leao against Lazio, the penalty debacle and then red card against Fiorentina and errors in both games against Cagliari.
In Atalanta-Milan he was beaten in the air by Charles De Ketelaere for the first goal, then Paulo Fonseca put him on the bench for two games and once he returned to the field nothing had changed. Errors against Como (for Assane Diao’s goal) and Parma again cemented his negative moment.
The mercato
Who could be interested in such an involuted player? In January Como came forward and they would have paid Theo €8m net per season, even offering around €50m to the Rossoneri. The club had opened up to dialogue, Hernandez instead closed all discussions and declined the proposal.
There are no other possible investors today. Maybe they could appear in the summer and Milan will obviously be ready to negotiate, or they could move forward together by force of circumstances and then he departs for free in 2026.
To those who object to the fact that Theo will leave for free, without bringing in any money, the club could respond that this is certainly not the time to renew his contract at higher figures either. The other question is strictly technical: will Conceiçao decide to field him as a starter?
The answer is the exclusive responsibility of the coach to whom the club has not given any instructions: Sergio will decide. Possible candidates to replace him against Torino: Bartesaghi, Terracciano or Jimenez.
If we get over 25-30 mil for him accept and move on. We should replace him with Nuno Mendes, ik he is quite expensive but we the manegement better show some ambition rather than going for a Mr. Nobody LB at 15-20 mil
Nuno Mendes is a tank, but a very bad player technically. Would much rather see Milan negotiating a new deal with Real for Jimenez, or buying Brugge’s De Cuyper
It is interesting how the negotiations are going.
Theo and Mike requested 8. They dropped in form, and Mike accepted the less and in Theo situation now we have same logic as with Kessie Calhanoglu….etc.
Isn’t that interesting ? It is also hard to believe that it is going that way.
This is modern football. Too many mercenaries. They reach the top and don’t have the hunger to stay there.
It’s all about the money and SoMe-followers.
Ideally Theo with the dip in performances should also be happy with a lower amount.
Other clubs are well aware of his attitude. Deschamps has spoken about it a lot as well.
ManU might be desperate enough to bet on him though.
And he’s supposed to be Maldini’s Heir? LOL. Maldini never made more than two such errors in a season, let alone so many and so many elections. Let’s face it, the only reason Theo is relevant is because he’s fast (like another “star” in the squad) and poses a threat going forward. But he fails in his primary role, which is that of a DEFENDER. Maybe someone could convert him to a winger, a la Gareth Bale? But as for us, i think his time is over. Let him go and bring in a proper LB.
*elections = ejections
Well said.
lets go for calafiori
I hope Theo has some humility and accepts lower wages. To sell him for a reasonable amount, we need to extend him and see some uptick in performance… otherwise we’ll get little for him