Theo Hernandez has made it clear that he wishes to remain at AC Milan, and the chances of a renewal are growing.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report this morning, the love story between Theo Hernandez and Milan is one that seemed to be over, but instead, as the weeks went by, it has been rekindled. The ending is yet to be written and two components will play an important role.
The first is who will be the head coach for next season (and hopefully beyond) and the second is the progress of the negotiations for the renewal of the Frenchman’s contract. In the meantime, however, Theo is sending out important signals. Both with his performances on the pitch and with his gestures.
An example? His story on Instagram, post-victory in last week’s derby: “See you in Rome. Forza Milan!” That was his message for the Rossoneri fans. In mid-February, he was telling the haters on social media to go to hell. In two and a half months, Theo’s world has turned upside down.
An upturn in performances
The basis of everything is above all the performances that – since Sergio Conceiçao started using the 3-4-3 – have definitely improved. The former Real Madrid man is back to running up and down the wing like in his best days.
In Udine he also scored and celebrated eloquently, with his hand rotating around his ear, to hear the exultation of the sector occupied by the Milan supporters, one step away from him. In the derby, then, he held his ground in the defensive phase and didn’t have so many runs. Ditto in Venezia.
We are not yet at redemption after a very negative season, characterised by ‘stolen’ and missed penalties, by assorted errors in marking, by the cooling-break rebellion in the away game against Lazio and by the red card vs. Feyenoord which cost elimination from the Champions League.
The path, however, is now the right one thanks to a system that allows him to run forward and to have his back more covered by the three-man defence. In practice, Conceiçao was good at enhancing Theo’s qualities, hiding his limitations a bit, and reigniting the ‘Theao’ left side too.
What the future holds
Hernandez never hides from his close friends and teammates how much he is attached to Milano as a city and AC Milan as a club. He and his family are happy in the city, and – apart from a few games this season – since 2019 his starting spot has never been questioned.
Could the offer of a top European club make him change his mind? It is possible, but instead we should ask ourselves which big club are willing to buy him 12 months before his contract expires and after a season like this.
That’s why right now, rather than packing his bags, Theo is thinking about how to win back AC Milan, where he also wore the captain’s armband. Fabio Capello gave him some advice, via La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“If Theo is eager, where can you find someone with that quality and speed? It depends on him, on what he has in his head.” Now he seems to have the right motivations again and the idea of not changing clubs. If he lifts the Coppa Italia trophy, finding an agreement for the renewal might be easier.
