Did Real Madrid make a mistake by selling Theo Hernandez?
By Ben Sundock
Real Madrid made a shocking decision swooping Theo Hernandez away from Atletico, but after one subpar year with the first team and a poor loan stint with Real Sociedad, he was sold to AC Milan. Did Los Blancos make a mistake getting rid of him so quickly?
Featuring in just 23 matches in his Real Madrid career, Theo Hernandez – much like Brazilian right back Danilo – had a very disappointing career in the Spanish capital. Highly touted after a loan stint with Deportivo Alavés during the 2016/2017 campaign, Real saw Theo as the future successor to Marcelo.
That, as we all know, was not close to coming to fruition. During an up and down 2017/2018 season, Real Madrid struggled in La Liga, but managed to win the Champions League.
Unfortunately for Theo, he did not play a big enough role and was shipped off to San Sebastian with the board hoping he would show his worth while away. After all, Real Madrid signed Hernandez to a six-year deal after paying their crosstown rivals €24 million.
After 28 appearances with La Real, Madrid decided it was time to part ways with the fullback nearly a year ago, and he was sold to AC Milan for €20 million. Though the club lost money and the the deal proved to be a flop, many seemed more than ready to move on and forget about the disappointment.
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While Real Madrid is set at left fullback with Ferland Mendy taking over for the declining Marcelo and Sergio Reguillon expected to be the back up when he returns from loan, it is worth wondering, did Real make a mistake selling Theo after only two years?
The French international has found his rhythm in the Serie A with Milan and is the out and out starter on the left flank. He has played more minutes than any other player in the squad – 1,848 minutes in 21 appearances – and has scored six goals in league and cup play, the most by a Milan defender in their debut season since Kakha Kaladze did it nearly two decades ago.
It was also Theo who set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his first goal since returning to the Rossoneri and was Hernandez’s second assist on the year.
He has been consistent on the defensive end averaging nearly two tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match, but his discipline has been lacking with seven yellow cards in league play to this point.
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So, did Real Madrid make a mistake getting rid of Theo? Absolutely not!
Look at how great Ferland Mendy has been all season and remember that while Reguillon will be the back up, Achraf Hakimi can play at his preferred right back position or switch over to the left if he is needed.
Serie A fits Theo perfectly as he has the freedom to dribble up the sideline and join the attack, or, if there is no space, make a short pass to a teammate and create the space off the ball.
Despite Hernandez’s record year on the offensive end, Milan sit 10th in the table and have allowed 31 goals through 23 matches while only managing to score 25.