Chicharito! Hernandez makes case for permanent Madrid move
COMMENT: The Mexican striker scored twice to emerge
as a Real hero for the second time in a week and could even earn a
transfer when his loan deal expires this summer
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Forget CR7, the man in vogue at Real Madrid right now is CH14. Javier Hernandez hit two goals for Real Madrid to dig Carlo Ancelotti's side out of a hole at Celta Vigo on Sunday and make it a week to remember for the Mexican striker. From outcast to saviour in the space of five fantastic days, this has been quite a comeback for Chicharito.
Ahead of Madrid's quarter-final second leg against Atletico on Wednesday night, many fans fretted over the absence of striker Karim Benzema, but Hernandez popped up with the only goal of the tie to seal success against Diego Simeone's side for the first time in eight matches.
And at Celta on Sunday, he picked up where he had left off. With Benzema still sidelined, the on-loan Manchester United striker started again and scored two fine goals. It was a game Madrid could easily have lost, such was Celta's brilliance and intensity in one of the most memorable matches of the season.
Hernandez made it 2-1 after Toni Kroos had cancelled out Nolito's opener and then netted the all-important fourth goal after the home side had pressed and pushed for a leveller at 3-2 down. Latching on to a fine forward pass from Sergio Ramos, Chicharito rifled home for 4-2 and made the result safe. For the second time in a week, his intervention was divine - and now it raises the real possibility of an even longer stay in Spain.
"I have worked hard and I have suffered this season, but these moments make it worthwhile," the striker said after scoring his late winner against Atleti on Wednesday, when he was harshly criticised for his celebration by Thierry Henry - even though he had waited all year for his chance of glory.
Dismissed as a bit-part player and barely used by Ancelotti in 2014-15, the Mexican has worked well behind the scenes and his hard graft is finally paying off. So much so in fact that Benzema, undisputed first choice for Real, will now have to earn his place back in this team when he shakes off his knee injury.
Hernandez, meanwhile, is in limbo. Still a Manchester United player and only on loan at Madrid until the end of the current campaign, the 26-year-old is changing perceptions in Spain. Seen recently as a limited footballer who has little to offer at a club like Madrid, he has won over many fans with his passion, his commitment and his goals this last week.
Benzema is technically superior and the France forward is arguably the ideal striker to support Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, but the raw energy, work-rate and tireless effort of Chicharito is winning friends in Madrid - and he is an attractive alternative against fast, physical and committed teams like Atletico and Celta.
"Chicharito is enjoying his moment and it's a very good one," Ancelotti said afterwatds. "When he is in this form, he is non-negotiable - just like Cristiano, Benzema, James, [Gareth] Bale, Ramos, Isco, [Raphael] Varane, Pepe..."
But whether the striker does go on to earn a Madrid move permanently or not remains out of his hands. Even Ancelotti is not guaranteed a place next season, with success in La Liga (in which Real are back within two points of Barcelona after Sunday's win) and the Champions League likely to determine the coach's future and also Madrid's movement in the transfer market this summer.
However, Hernandez is clearly making a case for a permanent deal and if he can shoot his side to a trophy this term, Madrid may well feel they should sign him up for future seasons as well.
What a difference a week makes.
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