Left-back Theo Hernandez has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s best left-backs this campaign. His form at AC Milan has certainly not gone unnoticed and the Frenchman now looks like the player he’s been primed to become ever since his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2017.
A few seasons on, the defender is reportedly attracting the services of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Premier League trio of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United. Whether these reports are true or not, his name being mentioned in the same breath as such clubs is a true sign of the growth, maturity and completeness in his overall game.
At 6ft, with raw pace, strength and skill, Theo Hernandez holds the makings of a complete full-back. After a failed spell at Real Madrid where he only featured in 13 appearances in his two seasons there, AC Milan finally took him out of his misery signing him for €20 Million in 2019. He has adapted quickly to his new surroundings, becoming a key figure in Stefano Poli’s side.
In this scout report, we will profile his career so far and a tactical analysis of how he has improved his game at AC Milan, also providing statistical insight.
Who is Theo Hernandez?
Born in Marseille, France. Hernandez is in fact a product of Atletico Madrid’s academy along with his older brother Lucas, after moving to Spain during his early years. He joined the Madrid academy in 2007, aged 9. After progressing through the youth ranks, he was promoted to the reserves in the Tercera Division in the summer of 2015.
He renewed his contract at the club in 2016 and then shortly after he earned a call-up to the first team against Eibar due to injuries to key players, however he remained an unused substitute in what was a 3-1 win for Atletico.
The following summer, he was rewarded with another contract extension, till 2021, and then loaned out to fellow league club Deportivo Alaves on a season-long loan. He finally made his professional debut towards the end of August against Sporting Gijon in a match which ended 0-0.
In October, he was given his first sending off of his career after a destructive challenge on Ignachio Camacho. Luckily, Hernandez’ sending off had no unfortunate bearing on the result as the game finished 1-1. It was not until May 2017, that he scored his first goal, a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. Hernandez was indeed a key figure for Alaves, especially in their run to the Copa Del Rey final, which they lost 3-1 to treble-winners Barcelona in 2017.
Hernandez scored the equaliser with a brilliant free-kick from all of about 25-yards from a tight angle 13 minutes before half-time. A moment he certainly wouldn’t forget despite the end result. The uncapped French left-back made 32 La Liga appearances for Alaves, scoring twice.
The summer of 2017 saw Hernandez join Real Madrid after they met his release clause of €24 million. The La Liga giants certainly saw something in him, to invest in him. He made his debut for the club, replacing Marco Asensio in a 2-0 home win against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana. Although, he helped Real Madrid to a Champions League triumph that year, making three appearances, it still turned out to be a difficult first spell at the European champions. He was then shipped on loan to Real Sociedad in August 2018, where he made 24 league appearances, scoring once.
The following summer, he joined AC Milan in a deal worth €20 million. Almost twelve months on, the Atletico Madrid academy product is playing the best football of his career.
What’s his role and style of play?
In an age where full-backs are such a vital component to a team’s attack, Theo Hernandez on the evidence of this current campaign is a true representation of that trait. Most full-backs in the modern era have the propensity to go forward during an attacking scenario in order to provide width stretch opposition defences and to give options in attack.
When AC Milan have the ball, Hernandez is tasked with providing width and stretching the opposition defensive line. By offering that, not only is he effective in crossing into the box where he’s completed 69 passes/crosses into the final third but also he is very useful when a switch in play is necessary. When this happens, the strikers and attacking midfielders become narrow in order to engage the defenders which allows Hernandez to fill in wide left where he’s totally free.
Milan are fully capable of attacking in the middle areas, but when they possess such qualities as Hernandez’ they can’t afford to ignore them. The Serie A giants more frequently find themselves utilising the clever runs of their full-backs, primarily Hernandez. AC Milan’s main source of creativity has been through the wide areas. While their wide players, such as for example Ante Rebic, or Samu Castillejo would drift inside to create space on the flanks for the full-backs.
Theo Hernandez holds a fantastic understanding of his positioning in the attack and also when opponents have the ball. His creative stats this season, especially for a left-back prove telling. He is amongst AC Milan’s leading scorers in Serie A this season, with 5 goals, and it is largely due to his ability to make off the ball movements and find little pockets of space to hurt opposing defenders. He’s also provided two assists. His expected goals this season reads at 2.1 and expected assists is 3.0.
What’s also impressive about Theo Hernandez is his ability to drive up the pitch with his sheer pace and strength. Per 90, he averages 2 dribbles per game which means he’s not afraid to engage players and beat them. He also ranks fourth in Serie A this season for progressive carrying distances.
It’s vitally helpful to get Milan out of constant pressure, also in order to get his teammates up the pitch to support him. In addition to this Hernández takes 2.78 touches in the opposition penalty area per 90. A prolific dribbler, Hernández attempts 3.92 take-ons per 90 and, of his Milan teammates, only Ismaël Bennacer (four) attempts more.
His passing abilities are also a key reason why he’s so effective in the final third. With an average 50 passes per game and 1.2 key passes per game so far this season, his attacking involvement revolves primarily from his passing acumen.
Hernandez’ ability to exploit spaces created by the attack complements teammates’ movement off the ball. His assist for Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Cagliari in January all starts from his clever run on the left flank, his awareness and decision making to find a teammate in a near-perfect position in the box. Passing is a key component of his game, whether he is starting attacking phases or finishing them off with precise assists or key passes.
The French youngster is also defensively sound. He excels at one on one duels. He also excels at stepping out of his defensive line to engage and press opponents as high as he can. Also holding such exemplary vision and reactions to make good decisions under pressure. Per90, he completes 11 passes under pressure. He rarely allows opposing wingers to get a cross and is equally adept at tackling with both feet which means he’s also capable of neutralising the threat of inside-forwards too. He makes 1.7 tackles per game, 1.2 interceptions and 1.5 clearances. Also, per90, he’s only dribbled past 0.7 times.
Despite his defensive potential, Hernandez also displays a knack of becoming too carried away, fouling too often and unnecessarily. Per 90 minutes, he is averaging 1.2 fouls and has received 8 yellow cards this season so far. This is one area where he needs refinement to avoid getting into trouble or putting his team in difficult positions.
Does he have what it takes to make it at the top?
Certainly. Theo Hernandez is almost the complete modern full-back. 5 goals and 2 assists this season so far highlights his vast maturity in the final third and impact in AC Milan’s attack. He’s got everything. Pace, trickery, strength, tenacity, hunger, drive, and is defensively sound when he wants to be. His proactive attacking and defending and the ability to make marauding runs from deep have been a crucial part of Stefano Pioli’s tactics this season.
He is certainly growing in zeal and confidence, his experience at AC Milan and beyond will certainly impact his massive future. The future is certainly bright for the young full-back.
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