Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez Transfer to Real Madrid: A Bad Move for Both Parties
According to numerous reports, Real Madrid has agreed to bring in Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez to the team on loan from Manchester United for the 2014-15 season. Chicharito is expected to be a backup striker for the team.
The move comes as a huge shock as the team was widely expected to bring in Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao on loan instead. Falcao even sent out a tweet confirming his move but later claimed that the tweet was false.
Many believe that Chichartio was picked over Falcao because Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wants Karim Benzema to be the main striker at Madrid because of his terrific chemistry with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bringing in Falcao would essentially put Ancelotti in a tough spot regarding this particularly desire. Falcao is a more prolific striker than Benzema when it comes to goal scoring and could potentially dethrone the Frenchman as the top option. This seemed to worry Ancelotti a bit and instead the team has opted for a player who is not only used to being a backup but also okay with continuing to play that role.
The Mexican has languished at Manchester United over the years as a backup to Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie so he should be comfortable with this similar position in Madrid. Chances are that he will get more playing time with the team as there are currently no other strikers on the Madrid squad aside from Benzema.
But is this the right move for Madrid?
From a financial standpoint it certainly makes sense. Chicharito is a household name and his nationality is certainly appetizing from a marketing standpoint. Mexico is a soccer-loving nation that would undoubtedly worship a side that includes one of its beloved sons. This is a huge opportunity to expand the Real Madrid brand into a country that is full of rabid soccer fans.
But on the pitch this might not be as successful. He was decent in his first few years with United but has seemingly seen a huge dip in confidence. His 2013-14 campaign was disastrous as he only managed to score four goals in 24 games. However, he only started eight of those matches, which was a huge drop from his first two seasons when he was guaranteed at least 10 or more starts. In 2012-13, he scored 10 goals despite only starting nine times, but his form has faded in that span.
Benzema has admittedly scored more goals than Hernandez over the years, but he has been given more opportunities as a starter. What makes the Frenchman a better option however is that he scores and sets up goals. In 2012-13 he scored 11 tallies but created just as many. In 2013-14, he scored 17 goals but had nine assists to go along with them.
Some might point to the fact that Benzema is dishing the ball off to Ronaldo and Bale, but Rooney and Van Persie are hardly mediocre players. They may not be on the same level as the Portuguese superstar, but they are certainly elite players.
Benzema is off to a woeful start for Los Blancos. He had a goal in the opening game against Cordoba but has hardly had an impact otherwise. Inconsistency is nothing new with him, but in the past, Ronaldo has picked up the slack for him. That excuse might no longer work this season as Ronaldo is struggling with his fitness. That means that an ineffective Benzema is a completely useless one.
Would Chicharito really be that much more effective as the starter? His work over the last few years for club and country have hardly given anyone confidence that this might be the case. At 26, he is only a few months younger than Benzema and should be in his prime. New scenery and an opportunity to play for such a prestigious club could do wonders to a players' psyche. But then again, he was already in that situation with Manchester United.
It should be interesting to see how this story unfolds. Maybe Madrid will enjoy it. Or maybe rumors for another striker will start up again come January.
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