Was this the famous “season too many” for Théo Hernandez at AC Milan? It is still too early to say so with force, but what is certain is that the French international is going through his worst period since his arrival in Lombardy in 2019. Having become a European reference in his position with the Rossoneri, the youngest of the Hernandez siblings is starting his 6th Milanese season in a rather relative way. This summer, his spiritual father, Stefano Pioli, left the club after five years at AC Milan. This may partly explain this difficulty in finding an extension in his performances. Inevitably, his Euro, during which he will have played all 6 matches of the Blues, has not favored a return to form either.
After a 52-match season, the 2022 runner-up therefore logically gave off the impression of a flagging player, looking for a second wind, but without results. During the first day of Serie A against Torino (2-2), Paulo Fonseca brought him on during the game, before giving him 90 minutes the following weekend against Parma… A poisoned chalice. Overwhelmed, Hernandez was guilty of one of his worst performances in Milan, and his team lost to the promoted team (2-1). His performance, coupled with that of Rafael Leao, also disappointing, even cost him his starting place against Lazio in favor of the young Terracciano. In the second half, there was also this famous scene of the Frenchman and the Portuguese spending the freshening break away from their teammates. It quickly became controversial, pushing the good entrance of the two men into the background.
Deschamps’ call-up did him no favours
We have seen it in the past: taking a trip to the national team can sometimes help you get your colours back in the middle of a period of doubt. This was not the case for Théo Hernandez, called up this month by Didier Deschamps for the Nations League. A starter during Les Bleus’ defeat against Italy (1-3), the Milanese player wandered around like a lost soul. Struggling defensively, he was in the family photo of the second Italian goal, then the third, where he was slow to come out on his player before trotting back in. Aware of the need for certain players to “reoxygenate“, a term that has come up very often during his last press conferences, Didier Deschamps had chosen to relegate Théo to the bench against Belgium.
The big winner? A certain Lucas Digne, author of a solid performance, two years after his last selection. If this performance is not likely to upset the established order on the left, it at least served to remind the Milanese that his boulevard was no longer as wide as before. While waiting for the return of his brother Lucas, expected for early 2025, Ferland Mendy, Lucas Digne and in the longer term, Adrien Truffert or Quentin Merlin, continue to push behind. Clearly, Théo Hernandez is now more spoiled than chosen. He will quickly have to get his head back in order, otherwise his credit will run out, at club level and with the national team. On Saturday, he had clearly understood the stakes of the match against Venice (4-0). Starting, the Frenchman scored and delivered a solid performance, his first this season. It is now up to him to follow it up.
