GdS: ‘The great frost’ – why the Theo Hernandez situation is worrying Milan

SempreMilan

·9 Oktober 2024

GdS: ‘The great frost’ – why the Theo Hernandez situation is worrying Milan

Theo Hernandez is causing worry for the AC Milan management, and it goes beyond his actions at the end of the game against Fiorentina which earned him a two-game ban.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Theo’s long-term future at Milan is in doubt, given that in the start of the 2024-25 he has had more lows than highs, he is not leading his team-mates as a true (vice) captain should do and above all his demands to renew are very high.

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Surprising demands

The initial request from the player’s agent was more than €8m net per season plus bonuses, almost double his current salary (€4.5m). Even if there would be the advantages of the Growth Decree, activated in 2019 at the time of his arrival in Milan, it is still a lot of money.

Considering that the highest paid player in the team is Rafael Leao (€7m net, including bonuses), the message delivered by the player’s entourage can only have two interpretations: the first is that he is in no hurry to renew, the second is that he intends to change clubs.

This latter concept was hinted at in his statements just before the European Championship when he said: “Will I stay in Milan? We’ll see later.” This was then quietened after the Lecce game: “I’m very happy here. The fans and the team love me. For me it’s the most important thing.”

Milan have been negotiating with Theo regarding a renewal for months. In August, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had used words full of confidence, stating: “We’re talking. Everything is under control, everything is ok.” Since then the parties have been in contact, a clear sign that there is at least the desire to verify whether there is room for an agreement.

Worrying performances

The case of the cooling break at the Stadio Olimpico was not liked, but it slipped away without fines and without excessive consequences because Theo had an immediate change of heart and accepted responsibility. However, his behaviour in the defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday was much more damaging.

Theo gave away a penalty (and was lucky not to concede another) then he seemingly ignored the hierarchies to take a spot kick instead of Christian Pulisic (which he missed) before getting sent off at full-time, with the armband on and knowing he is the only one in the squad without a real deputy.

This time there will be a fine, but beyond that the Frenchman’s performance levels deserve a separate chapter. He has alternated good performances – such as those against Venezia, Inter and Lecce – with much more disappointing outings. Above all, the away games in Parma and Florence.

The management intend to extend the contracts only of those players who, in addition to having demands in line with the club’s limits (as a reminder, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Franck Kessie were allowed to go), deserve it on the pitch with their performance.

What the future holds

This is why everyone expects Theo to make a leap forward in terms of consistency, as well as give a discount on his current demands. For his part, Hernandez probably doesn’t feel at the centre of the plans with Fonseca as he did with Pioli, to whom he was tied by a notable feeling.

However, in the summer, no important offers arrived for him, also because Theo would only consider the idea of leaving Milan to go to a top European club such as PSG – where his brother Lucas is – or Bayern Munich, who next summer could lose Alphonso Davies to Real Madrid on a free.

Theo has another year on his deal and therefore next summer he will still command a big offer before a sale is considered. Without a renewal, however, Milan will not be able to ask for a huge sum. This is why the dialogue between the parties continues even if the sun is not shining.