What Real Madrid Can Realistically Expect from Javier Hernandez This Season

Javier Hernandez's arrival in Real Madrid may have been a surprise for many, but the reality is Chicharito has what it takes to play with Los Blancos, starting with his knack for goalscoring.

The Mexican striker is well known for being a fox in the box. He has been a natural game-changer since his early days with Mexican club Guadalajara, where his grandfather also played.

Hernandez spent four years with the team. He made 80 appearances and scored 29 times. It was in his debut game vs. Necaxa when he put the ball away for the first time in the Liga MX.

With Manchester United he became a lethal sub thanks to his unique playing style, which included scoring with weird parts of his body, like his neck.

Chicharito's main goal is to make Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI, which means he has to take advantage of every single opportunity he gets.

Matchday 4 was the first step toward that goal. Hernandez secured a brace in Real Madrid's 8-2 victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

His goals are clear proof that he is much more than just a goal poacher. Chicharito scored from outside the box, and his first one was simply first class.

He played 13 minutes, which was enough to show how deadly he can be when he finds a space.

As a sub, Hernandez will be key. Numbers don't lie.

Last season in La Liga, Los Blancos scored 59 goals in the second half. Cristiano Ronaldo secured 17, Gareth Bale nine, Alvaro Morata eight, Isco six and Benzema six. The rest came from the boots and heads of others like Jese and Sergio Ramos.

In Hernandez’s new era, we can expect him to come in with fresh legs and hunger, which will result in more goals when the club is already in control of the game, as happened against Depor. But if Real Madrid have not finished the match, Chicharito will definitively make the difference, like it did with United, where he was subbed in 38 times in the Premier League and scored 37 goals.

Ancelotti needs a reliable player who can change the game despite spending few minutes on the pitch.

A footballer who can be a good alternative through the center of the pitch, unlike Bale and Ronaldo who are stronger through the flanks.

Chicharito's speed is one of his most valuable assets. FIFA reported that Hernandez's top speed during the 2014 World Cup was 30.9 km/h (the same as James Rodriguez, and better than Benzema's 29.1 km/h), and he only played 75 minutes.

Player	Goals	Minutes played
Cristiano Ronaldo	5	270
Gareth Bale	3	329
Javier Hernandez	2	40
James Rodriguez	1	342
Karim Benzema	1	288
Sergio Ramos	1	360

Hernandez is no stranger to the Real Madrid coach.

In the 2010/11 season, when the Mexican played on a regular basis with Manchester United he was a real headache for Chelsea. Chicharito scored three times against the Blues, in the Community Shield, the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

In all those opportunities he scored while coming into the box from the center and behind the defenders. Hernandez played the second half of the Community Shield, while he started the other two games.

He only needs playing time and the coach's confidence to get back on track. He will deliver good results because there's not a player like him on Real Madrid's roster.

The Mexican arrived in Spain in his best moment. Yes, he only played 1,329 minutes last season (Premier League, Capital One Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League), but he scored 10 times.

His time in England helped him mature and Ancelotti will reap the fruits. Real Madrid have a super sub in their ranks.

All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.