Theo Hernandez’s performance against Parma was one of the worst since he joined AC Milan, and a report has suggested possible distraction on the part of the full-back.
As simply put by Calciomercato.com, Milan fans and the media have criticised Theo for his display at the Stadio Tardini because he failed to follow his man for both of Parma’s goals, running 9km/h slower than the wingers he was supposed to be marking in both instances.
The Frenchman was on the bench from the start and on the pitch for the last 30 minutes in the first outing of the season against Torino, and then he started against Parma but was among the worst on the pitch.
The feeling is that the defender needs to find the right motivation after the bad end to last season under Stefano Pioli. Something seemed to turn at the end of the match at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma that sealed Milan’s elimination from the Europa League.
There can be no counter-evidence because Theo barely speaks in front of the cameras, but the thought of leaving Milan has been there in recent weeks. On one hand the sirens of the big clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid on the other the feeling that after five years an era can end naturally.
Both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Giorgio Furlani have spoken at length with Theo Hernandez trying to convey to him their ambition to create a Milan that can win the Scudetto. In part it worked because he has ended up staying, yet it is the renewal that will be crucial.
Milan have told Theo’s representatives that they are willing to up his current salary of €4.5m net per season (plus bonuses) to €6m including bonuses. However, an official offer is needed to really have the whole situation ‘under control’ as Ibrahimovic said it is in his last press conference.
The former Real Madrid man wants €8m net per year to renew, but – as in all negotiations – a solution is to meet halfway. Without a renewal, it would then become ‘increasingly complicated to find the right motivations to return to being the player admired in recent seasons’.
