Javier Hernandez Return Will Be a Major Boost for Mexico

Less than a month after Mexico coach Miguel Herrera left Javier Hernandez out of the squad that faced Chile and Bolivia, he has decided to call him back, and the timing couldn't be better.

Hernandez switched teams recently, something Herrera suggested even before Real Madrid was in the picture, as Sky Sports' Paulo Freitas reported in May:

"In the case of 'Chicharito', I believe it'd be in his interest to leave so he is taken into consideration to play."

Despite Hernandez's lack of playing time with Manchester United, Herrera capped him. The forward didn't waste his time on the pitch—79 minutes in four appearances—and scored once against Croatia.

Nevertheless, the coach kept pushing. Last month, he told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC:

"I think [Chicharito] needs to leave. I think [Juventus] would be a good option for him. When a coach doesn't want you, when you have your best experience, your best moment with them, and now the coach that wanted you is no longer there, it's time to move."

Well, mission accomplished, Piojo. Hernandez's move puts him in a different environment, with new teammates and renewed confidence, which, as he told Claro Sports, has been key (h/t Marca).

Chicharito scored his first brace with Los Blancos against Deportivo La Coruna. Sure, the game was already decided (6-1), but the Mexican's goals were the perfect proof that he is more than just a goal poacher.

Hernandez has blossomed into a better footballer, with more technique and resources to surprise rivals. Granted, he is still a fox on the box, but his quick and sharp moves are a superb way to unbalance the defenders, even when he doesn't have the ball.

Chicharito has understood that his unpredictability is a threat in itself.

It is no secret that Mexico have struggled all year round to put the ball away. Herrera has put together a dynamic side with speed, depth and creativity, but the final touch hasn't been there.

First, it was attributed to the shaky situation that El Tri was going through when El Piojo took over the team. Somehow, he managed to make the squad work—and even impress.

Things didn't change much against Chile and Bolivia. Giovani dos Santos, Javier Orozco, Oribe Peralta and Erick Torres couldn't score.

Mexico left the Chile friendly with a scoreless draw and needed an individual effort to make the difference. As it happened in the World Cup warm-up versus Israel, Miguel Layun, with a long-distance shot, gave El Tri the winner against Bolivia.

This time, Herrera's boys are set to face Honduras and Panama.

The first is waiting to secure its ticket for the 2015 Gold Cup in a two-legged playoff—versus the fifth place of the 2014 Copa Centroamericana—while the second has already qualified to the tournament.

Since Mexico are also set to play CONCACAF's biggest and most important competition, they need to take advantage of these next games.

For Chicharito, this is the perfect opportunity to show that he deserves the starting position, as all he needed to get back on track was the kind of confidence he has recently received from Carlo Ancelotti.

In Peralta, Mexico have the sort of footballer who creates plays and thinks in advance; while they can rely on Dos Santos' dribbling skills and ability to break a tight defense.

However, none of them have Hernandez's finishing power, which is exactly what Herrera needs to complete his 5-3-2 system.

All advanced stats appear courtesy of Squawka.com, unless otherwise noted. 

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