‘Nostalgic for the old Milan’ – Sky journalist offers insight on Theo Hernandez’s struggles | OneFootball

A Sky journalist has suggested that Theo Hernandez might be feeling a bit unsettled at AC Milan after seeing several friends leave the club.

In truth, it has not been a great start to the season for Theo as he has struggled to hit the same heights that fans have become accustomed to since he first arrived from Real Madrid in 2019.

He wears the captain’s armband almost every week given that Davide Calabria lost his starting spot and has been injured. However, incidents such as the red card against Fiorentina aroused some frustration at his discipline (or lack thereof).

The renewal case is a cloud over everything, too. Sky reported that the Frenchman has asked for a salary double what he currently earns, which is €4.5m net per season and therefore a demand of €9m per year.

Baiocchini of Sky spoke about Theo’s current situation and offered a reflection on the idea that he perhaps isn’t his usual self compared to previous high levels, with MilanNews relaying his comments.

“Theo Hernandez, compared to other seasons in which he was an absolute protagonist at Milan, is experiencing a somewhat dark season. He who probably had offers to leave at the beginning of last summer, while Milan wanted to keep him,” he said.

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“There was also talk of a contract renewal, which is also in high seas and expires in 2026. Milan would like to keep him but for Theo Hernandez the time had come for a change of scenery. Instead he stayed at Milan and stayed as captain, because he is one of the captains of this team.

“However, his performances have never been at the level of last season: the initial exclusion in the first league game because he had arrived not in condition after the European Championship, the second against Parma he played a poor match and Milan conceded two goals from his side.

“With his exclusion and that of Leao with all the consequences that came with it, the relationship with Fonseca that never took off, and the two-match suspension… In short, Theo Hernandez still can’t be the Theo Hernandez of past seasons.

“Maybe he’s also a little nostalgic, all those who he was close to within the team have left, from Brahim to Maldini to Tonali who were his great friends.

“Yesterday the photo posted with Maldini and Tonali plus Maignan makes it clear that he is a little nostalgic for the old Milan, maybe also nostalgic for the relationship he had with Pioli, a decidedly special relationship.

“Now he will have to go back to being Theo Hernandez because Deschamps excluded him in the last match against Italy: in his opinion, he is a different Theo from the past seasons.”