There is yet another strange case regarding Theo Hernandez, who has reported for international duty despite complaining about muscle discomfort.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall this morning, Theo was taken off at half-time during the comeback win over Como, replaced by Alex Jimenez. It was a substitution forced by his physical condition because he felt a pain in his calf that would have prevented him from playing at his best.
For the record, Theo had been more dynamic than many other times up until that point. In the post-match interviews the coach did not mention the conversation that had taken place with the player at half-time, which had led to the assumption that he was taken off by tactical choice.
Instead, Conceicao’s plan was to ‘reward’ Theo’s resourcefulness by sending him out for second half, in the hope that he would finally come up with some of the magic that we haven’t seen as much of during a difficult season.
The latest episode
The Frenchman instead chose to manage the discomfort and sit on the bench. Two days ago he arrived relaxed and smiling at Clairefontaine, the French national team’s training camp, with very blond hair, sunglasses, an excessively large tracksuit.
He was not seen on the pitch: he didn’t train with the group but still chose to stay in France. Marcus Thuram, due to ankle problems, returned to Inter to be with their doctors. And yet, the left-back opted to stay with Les Bleus.
Upon his return to the national team, Theo also posted two Instagram posts. His last social media photo that is Milan related was on February 19, to apologise to the fans for his red card against Feyenoord which resulted in elimination from the Champions League.
That red card – with the second yellow coming for a dive – was just the latest link in an unfortunate chain. It started at the end of August with the cooling break at the Stadio Olimpico, in which he and Rafael Leao intentionally stayed away from the coach. They had started that game on the bench as a punishment because in the previous match against Parma they showed poor application.
Against Fiorentina at the beginning of October, Theo – as captain – snatched a penalty from Christian Pulisic and missed it. At the end of the match he protested with the referee and was suspended for two matches due to abusing him. Before the Feyenoord game there were also many sub-par performances, especially defensively.
Theo’s future has already been decided: his contract, which expires in the summer of 2026, will not be renewed. Offers are expected at the end of the season and if they don’t arrive, there is also the risk of him leaving on a free transfer. In his place, Milan will take a new left-back.
In the meantime, the rift with the club – which has chosen not to offer him a rich renewal – is already underway. To extend his agreement, the player would demand a salary increase that the club has no intention of signing off.
Towards the end of the current season Sergio Conceiçao will need highly motivated players and that is where the opportunity could present itself to Alex Jimenez, who again showed himself to be a good replacement for Theo in the second half against Como.
The Spaniard plays with intensity, trying to overcome even his own limits, running and committing himself to every duel He has the desire that the Milan of today and of the future need. Real Madrid has the possibility of buying him back, but he wishes to stay.
