Javier Hernandez Display in Real Madrid Win vs. Eibar Puts Him in Shop Window

Javier Hernandez scored the second goal and put in an impressive overall display in Real Madrid’s comfortable 3-0 win at home to Eibar on Saturday.

There was something of a limited-minutes-club feel to the Madrid starting XI. Per Soccerway, Keylor Navas (270 minutes), Alvaro Arbeloa (752), Asier Illarramendi (763), Jese (253) and Hernandez (246) had accumulated just 2284 minutes of league action between them prior to the match—less than Cristiano Ronaldo alone.

Hernandez took the place of Karim Benzema, who was rested ahead of the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg encounter with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. It was his first league start since October, and his first in any competition since December.

But he showed little sign of rust in a bright and productive first-half display.

He made a couple of well-timed runs into the right channel, both beautifully found by Luka Modric, which led to efforts on goal. He also showed good touch and awareness with his back to play—an area of his game in which he doesn’t always impress—laying the ball off simply and swiftly to keep things moving.

The variety of his movement made him difficult to pick up and largely replicated what Benzema usually brings to the side.

And the 26-year-old also notched his fifth goal of the season—his first since October—with a neat glancing header from Arbeloa’s precise right-wing cross.

The tempo dropped considerably after the break. There was little chance of Eibar mounting a comeback and Madrid were happy to ease off with their midweek Champions League fixture in mind.

Hernandez should have done better with his header from another Arbeloa delivery but was then unfortunate not to score his second of the match after his close-range volley from Pepe’s headed knockdown was deflected over the bar.

He continued to link nicely with his team-mates when opportunities arose to do so.

The quality of the opposition must of course be taken into account. Eibar’s own president had put Madrid’s chances of success at 98 percent prior to the match, as per Patricia Cazon of AS, and they were very defensive from the off. They retreated deep into their own half and turned much of the match into little more than a glorified game of attack versus defence.

Their approach was unsurprising given the massive gulf in resources between the two sides. It nevertheless meant that an understrength Madrid team were rarely tested and were able to dictate the rhythm of the game.

Yet it was still an impressive performance from Hernandez, who currently has no idea of where he will be playing his football next season.

He is currently on loan to Madrid from Manchester United. Despite previous reports, per Pablo Polo of Marca, suggesting that the club had little interest in keeping him on board come the end of the season, Carlo Ancelotti indicated that situation could still change in the wake of Saturday's match.

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Ancelotti: "Chicharito played very good. He's still a Manchester United player but we will hold talks at the end of the season."

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) April 11, 2015"

However, even if Madrid did wish to extend his stay at the Bernabeu, Hernandez should think twice before committing to a team for whom he is never likely to receive regular minutes.

Mark Ogden of The Telegraph reported in January that United were willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old and did not see a future for him at Old Trafford. Last week, he stated that Hernandez is highly likely to turn down an approach from MLS side Orlando City in favour of remaining in Europe.

Ogden revealed that Southampton, West Ham and Valencia are the three clubs who have shown most interest in the striker.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

His priority should be a team that can guarantee him regular first-team football after three consecutive seasons in which he will have received less than 1,000 minutes of league playing time.

“My situation is frustrating,” he told Fox Sports late last month. “I cooperate, I help and give my 100 percent in training but in the games the opportunities are slim. I’m in a team but left out of what is important, which are the games.”

He needs a run of matches to regain his self-belief—“At times, my confidence is rock bottom,” he admitted in the Fox Sports interview—and tie down a regular starting berth at the international level.

Hernandez proved Saturday that he is capable of standing in for Benzema against certain opposition, which could see him gain a few more minutes between now and the end of the campaign.

But more importantly, he showed interested clubs that he has lost little of his sharpness. There should still be a future for Hernandez in Europe, and his display against Eibar may just have persuaded a potential suitor to press ahead with an offer.