How Chicharito to Borussia Dortmund Would Blow Open the January Transfer Window

Borussia Dortmund need a replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Robert Lewandowski, and Javier Hernandez—known as Chicharito—seemingly forever a substitute at Manchester United, would be a natural fit at Dortmund and could be the signing which blows open the January transfer window. 

Lewandowski's hat-trick in a 6-1 win against Stuttgart, brace in a 5-0 victory over Freiburg and goal and an assist during a 2-1 win against Arsenal continue to be bittersweet reminders to Dortmund of being rejected for Bayern. 

From being Lucas Barrios' backup, Lewandowski has transitioned into a world-class striker, but he will sign a pre-contract with Bayern in January, according to The Guardian, therefore rendering Dortmund helpless in watching him leave on a free transfer in the summer. 

Manchester United signed Shinji Kagawa in 2012 and have been rumoured to be interested in Marco Reus (per The Times), Ilkay Gundogan (per The Daily Star), Neven Subotic (per The Daily Mail) and Mats Hummels (per The Express). 

Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp should return fire by targeting Chicharito, whose transfer stock is in decline because he is going through a character-testing year.

Blasting the ball into the stands when put through on goal against Real Sociedad, failing to convert from 12 yards out against Panama and missing an open goal against Costa Rica were cringe-worthy moments.

SEASON	GAMES	GOALS	SUB IN	SUB OUT	SUB AFFECTED %
2013-14	9	4	4	4	88.9
2012-13	36	18	14	9	63.9
2011-12	36	12	14	11	69.4
2010-11	45	20	18	12	66.7

In theory, Chicharito can be signed by Dortmund at an economically-efficient transfer fee, as was Diego Forlan, who was recommended by Sir Alex Ferguson to leave United in the wake of failing to score a Premier League goal in 2004.

Villarreal signed Forlan for £2 million, per BBC Sport, and he won the Pichichi in his first La Liga season with 25 league goals. 

In 2007, Villarreal signed another United player who was looking to move on, Giuseppe Rossi, for £6.7 million, per BBC Sport, a bargain in retrospect given his 32-goal haul during the 2010-11 campaign. 

Klopp should sign Chicharito in the January transfer window and integrate him into Bundesliga football so he can acclimate to Germany, which will put him in an advantageous situation for the 2014-15 season.  

It does not matter what Lewandowski thinks, since he has no right to complain. 

Firstly, he will be playing all the Champions League games (Chicharito is cup-tied).

Secondly, Lewandowski is giving Dortmund the kiss of Judas. 

Detractors of Chicharito will say: "He is limited." 

Of course, he gives the impression of being limited at Manchester United because he is pigeon-holed into the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer role, where Chicharito's job is to score as soon as he comes off the bench. 

Chicharito is not just a goal-poacher because he has shown glimpses of playmaking ability. 

"I enjoy making a good pass or giving an assist," he said, via ManUtd.com. "You have to enjoy those things [assists] as much as scoring goals."

Who crossed the ball for Shinji Kagawa's goal during the 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion last season? Chicharito.

When Wayne Rooney returned from a knee injury to score in a 1-0 FA Cup win over West Ham United in January, it was Chicharito who created the goal. 

In the 4-2 win against the United States during the 2011 Gold Cup final, Chicharito dropped deep for a play, latched on to the ball and then threaded a perfect pass to Pablo Barrera, who scored Mexico's second. 

What makes Chicharito special is him playing larger than his size. 

"You think, OK, here's this little midget," Chicharito's former teammate Jesus Padilla said, via Chicharito - The Biography of Javier Hernandez by Frank Worrall. "But he's got some serious hops. He's amazing in the air."

Before Lewandowski, there was Barrios netting goals for Klopp. 

At Mainz, Felix Borja succeeded Mohamed Zidan, an upgrade from Andriy Voronin, who had taken up the mantle from Michael Thurk. 

Losing a productive No. 9, allocating a successor and still going strong is why Klopp is one of the best managers in the world. 

Chicharito can score with both feet, is strong in the air, is a willing passer, works hard off the ball and has high character—characteristics Klopp wants in his strikers. 

Statistics via WhoScored, FFT Stats Zone, Squawka and Transfermarkt.
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