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Javier Hernandez started gracing the Old Trafford pitch with a habit of being at the right place at the right time just when the Manchester United faithful were beginning to miss their baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Sloksjear. A natural heir to Sloksjear, Hernandez, who is known as “Chicharito – the little pea,” is one of the most popular figures among the fans at the moment for his heroics on the pitch and his personality off it.
But the Mexican’s future has been in doubt lately after he only managed to start two games in the season under new manager David Moyes. With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie netting goals for fun and Danny Welbeck’s ability to play in wider positions, Hernandez has been forced down the pecking order despite having an excellent goal scoring record.
He might not be one of the players who will hand in a transfer request or demand a move but Chicharito is a talent that shouldn’t be wasted by warming the bench at Old Trafford. And big sharks from various leagues are already circling around Manchester to snatch the Mexican and give him the starting place that he deserves. So here’s a look at the possible clubs that could make a move for the poacher in near future.
Arsene Wenger made his intentions clear about the club’s ambitions when he spent a large chunk of money on Mesut Ozil in the summer. And despite starting their season on a high note Arsenal might be hampered in the long run due to the lack of depth in the forward position.
Though Olivier Giroud has been wonderful as a goal scorer for the team, an injury to him or a poor run of form from his side could see Wenger scrambling for options to put up front. And that’s where Hernandez fits in; he might just be the missing piece that could make Arsenal perfect.
With Arsenal possessing immense creative talent in the midfield department, Hernandez could easily fire in 20-30 goals per season and thus transform the club into serious title contenders. The prospect of seeing players like Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Ozil link up with Chicharito itself is something that is worth looking forward to, with the striker having the ability to suit the nippy passing play better than Giroud.
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho failed in his summer-long pursuit of Wayne Rooney but could get a better recruit for much lesser money if he decides to make a jump for Hernandez. Chelsea, who have two of the most celebrated names in the goal scoring business in the form of Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o, have been struggling to find goals from both despite having a vibrant attacking midfield. And with the departure of Romelu Lukaku on loan, Mourinho might be forced to go into the market in January to get a new striker for the team.
Hernandez will be tailor made for Chelsea to scrap in the through balls and crosses from the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Frank Lampard and Juan Mata and thus releasing the burden of scoring goals from the midfield and making the team effective in all departments. It might not come as a surprise if he even knocks out out-of-form Torres and ageing Eto’o from the squad and establishes himself as a regular starter at the club.
Real Madrid
Madrid have expressed their desire to land Hernandez recently following the failure to find a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain in the summer. The lights of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale could propel Hernandez to greatness that he might not get if he stays in the Premier League. With Karim Benzema being the only established striker in the side, like Arsenal, Madrid also is faced with a lack of depth in the position despite Ronaldo’s versatility.
Hernandez’s simple game of being at the right place could allow him to easily adapt to the Spanish game and gain superstar status in no time. Along with that Madrid won’t be forced to spend a large amount for the Mexican and the deal could end up as one of the most popular bargains in world football.
Atletico Madrid
Like their free spending neighbours in Madrid, Atletico have been keeping a keen eye on Hernandez ever since the big money departure of Radamel Falcao to Monaco. Atletico, known for producing and maintaining world class strikers, will be more than willing to add to their long list of goal scorers which includes names like Falcao, Torres, Diego Forlan and most recently David Villa.
Atletico were on the heels of United for the signature of the Mexican but the deal failed to materialize and is likely to be reignited in January with the team enjoying a good start to the season. But a fact that might keep Atletico from making a bid would be the form of Diego Costa who has been scoring goals for fun. Hernandez could thus be a long-term target for the team and might be seen as a replacement for Villa.
Tottenham
The Spurs may have the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermaine Defoe and Roberto Soldado in their forward line but apart from Soldado the inconsistency and the age of the other two have been headaches for Andre Villas-Boas. The departure of Bale has left AVB wondering about the goals needed for the team and they have been coming from the midfield recently; he should make sure that he has a constant goal scoring source.
The main attraction that the Spurs could offer Hernandez is a guaranteed starting place that he only gets like rain in the desert at Old Trafford. Tottenham could field a two-striker system with the strength and power of Soldado and the killer instincts of Hernandez combined with the creative talent in midfield, and transform the team into consistent Champions League contenders.
