5 Questions You'd Love to Ask Mexico and Manchester United's Javier Hernandez
On the verge of this yearโs World Cup, Javier Hernandez may be close to leaving Manchester United and to losing a starting position with Mexico.
Chicharito has been very patient regarding his role with the Premier League heavyweights, but no matter what he does it seems like he will never be the managerโs first choice.
In the meantime, the lack of playing time with his club turns into a drag when it comes to being capped for El Tri because there are other footballers who not only have continuity but also have proven to be atop.
So what would we love to ask Hernandez?
Spanish sources cited in this article translated by the author unless otherwise noted.
All dataย provided byย espnfc.comย unlessย otherwise stated.
Can You Explain Your Cryptic Message on Instagram?
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After a dreadful 2-2 draw against Fulham last weekend, Hernandez posted this photo on his Instagram account:ย
"[Picture] Javier Hernรกndez posts on Instagram "The time to speak about so many things will comeโฆ" pic.twitter.com/cfG8no845S
โ RedMancunian (@RedMancunian) February 9, 2014"
This season Chicharito has played 1,084 minutes out of 3,060 possible, thatโs 36.49 per cent, the lowest since he arrived in Europe.
On Monday, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera told ESPN's Raza Deportiva (h/t Daily Mail):
"Chicharito is frustrated because the current coach doesn't give him many minutes, but he continues to be very committed."
This doesn't necessarily mean that Hernandez will continue wearing the Red Devilsโ jersey. His agent told ESPN Deportesย (h/tย Daily Mirror) that he might leave the club as soon as the World Cup ends.
Was There a Locker Room Problem During the World Cup Qualifying Tournament?
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Mexico finished 2012 with a 10-0-2 record, ahead of the World Cup qualifying tournament.
Everything seemed in El Tri's favour until the first match of the Hexagonal. Jamaica visited the Estadio Azteca, one of the toughest grounds in world football, hoping not to be trashed.
But the Reggae Boyz stunned Jose Manuel de la Torreโs side and managed to keep a scoreless draw until the final whistle.
The story would not be very different in the following games and Mexico would end the qualifying process with a shameful 2-5-3 record plus four different managers, but de la Torre stayed the longest (February 2011 to September 2013).
Before being sacked, "Chepo" also coached El Tri during the 2013 Gold Cup and the 2013 Confederations Cup, with disastrous results.
In the regional competition, Panama defeated Mexico twice; the first one in the group stage and the second one in the semifinals.
In Brazil, the squad only grabbed three points, their second-worst participation.
Oddly, the footballers were going through a good moment with their respective clubs, which raised red flags regarding the way things were being dealt in the locker room.
Even the owner of Chivas, Jorge Vergara, talked about it in Fox Sports radio show. Mexico's players and staff always denied it.
If You Could Sign with Any Club, Which Would It Be?
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His lack of playing time has been the target of a bunch of transfer rumours, including some from the best European clubs.
In the past winter transfer window, Chicharito was linked with:
League | Team | Rumour fromโฆ |
La Liga | Valencia | |
Ligue 1 | Monaco | The Daily Mirror's Alan Nixon and Tom Hopkinson. |
Premier League | Tottenham | The Telegraphโsย Jason Burt and Caughtoffside's Nathan James |
Theย Daily Mail'sย Sami Mokbel | ||
ย | ||
Swansea ย | ||
Serie A | Roma | |
The Telegraph'sย Mark Ogden and La Stampa |
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Who Is Your Role Model?
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The 25-year-old has always been an admirer of Mexican football legend Hugo Sanchez and he confirmed it to the national newspaper Excelsior in 2011.
But he has also expressed his respect for the U-17 squad that won the 2011 World Cup, as well as for Ronaldo, according to Telemundo.
Off the pitch, Chicharito has always acknowledged that his family is the most important part of his life.
Before playing the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona, he said in a press conference:
"They (my father and grandfather) have helped me even more off the pitch because that is the most difficult part.ย My family has made sure I have stayed down to earth. I am a person first before a footballer.ย
"
Que tengan un buen fin de semana!!! Have a great weekend!!! pic.twitter.com/iBy9nQmABH
โ Chicharito Hernandez (@CH14_) November 15, 2013
Against Which Team Do You Enjoy Scoring the Most?
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A natural born scorer, Hernandez has sent the ball away against some of the best goalkeepers and in world-class competitions, such as the World Cup, Confederations Cup, UEFA Champions League and Europa League, to name a few.
So far, he has scored 58 times with Manchester United. Chicharito has netted nine of those against Chelsea, more than against any other team.
Actually, he scored Unitedโs fastest goal in the 2010-2011 season against the Blues.
Wearing Mexicoโs jersey, Hernandez has scored 35 times, which sets him as the third-best scorer in El Triโs history.
El Salvador is the most punished side as they have received four goals from Chicharito's boots, all of them in official competitions.
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