Player Focus: Javier Hernandez's Rich Vein of Goalscoring Form
It was ironic that, while Manchester United were losing 2-1 to Premier League newboys Bournemouth, Javier Hernandez was bagging a hat-trick for Bayer Leverkusen, who romped to a 5-0 win over Bundesliga counterparts Borussia Monchengladbach. The Mexican striker secured a move away from Old Trafford over the summer after failing to hold down a regular starting spot in recent seasons in Manchester but, given United’s goalscoring woes, it’s feasible to suggest that Louis van Gaal’s side could utilise a frontman of Hernandez’s quality at present.
In the last 12 competitive fixtures, Hernandez has 15 goals to his name. In that same run, United have scored 10. Of course, social media went into meltdown after the Leverkusen star bagged his third of the game and his 10th in the Bundesliga this season to lift him behind only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (18), Robert Lewandowski (15) and Thomas Muller (13) in the goalscoring charts in Germany’s top tier.
Of course, hindsight is a fine thing, but Hernandez’s departure - coupled with Robin van Persie and Falcao’s respective exits - has left United short up top. While the club secured the services of Anthony Martial, the Frenchman’s recent form is a concern after a blistering start at United. It’s resulted in a worrying downturn in performances for the club. They may still sit fourth in the Premier League, but have now failed to win in three following defeat on the south coast. United have now won just three of their last 12 competitive fixtures.
However, to say Hernandez would be the answer to the club’s goalscoring woes could not be further from the truth. As is well documented, Van Gaal favours a more patient approach in the build up towards goal, with the strikers in particular dropping deep to link up with play rather than hanging on the shoulder of the last defender. Hernandez, though, has forged a career by adopting the latter approach, which is why his time at United was brought to an end back in August.
The 27-year-old is averaging 39.3 touches per goal in the Bundesliga this season, a return that is bettered only by Adrian Ramos (26) and Aubameyang (28.4) of players to make two or more league appearances. Comparatively, United’s top scorer in the Premier League - Juan Mata (4 goals) - is averaging 246.8 touches per goal. Main strikers Martial and Wayne Rooney are averaging significantly more touches per goal than Hernandez, at 162 and 306 respectively.
While the goals are flowing freely for Chicharito, it’s likely he would have struggled at United in the current setup given the lack of chances the Manchester outfit are creating at present. Nevertheless, United’s loss is undoubtedly proving to be Leverkusen’s gain. While Roger Schmidt’s side have laboured in the Bundesliga this season, Hernandez’s form is reason to be cheerful. Only Anthony Ujah (43.8%) has scored a greater proportion of his side’s goals than Hernandez (41.7%), reinforcing his strong start to life in Germany.
The Mexico international is proving just how effective he is once more when handed a prolonged run of games in the starting XI. However, this is down to Leverkusen creating considerably more chances (181) than United (123) in league games this season. Nevertheless, Hernandez is maximising the goalscoring opportunities that are presented to him, as his conversion rate (27%) suggests. Having required just 17 shots on target, his on target conversion rate is an impressive 58.8%, one of the best returns in Europe’s top 5 leagues of the 20 players to score 10 or more league goals.
Hernandez may offer little else to Leverkusen other than his goalscoring ability, but that is exactly what he was drafted in to do. The sale of Heung-Min Son to Tottenham saw the club lose one of their main offensive threats, but they covered the creative loss with the arrivals of Kevin Kampl and Admir Mehmedi. In Chicharito, Schmidt has at his disposal the natural goalscorer required to help fire the club back into European contention.
Of course, United need goals to help get their campaign back on track, of that there is no doubt, but Hernandez is not the striker they need for that to happen given the club and the player’s contrasting approach and style of play. Nevertheless, in Hernandez, Leverkusen have themselves a striker in a rich vein of form and though he may not bring much else to the Leverkusen attack, while he’s banging in the goals those at the club are unlikely to mind.
What do you make of Javier Hernandez's goalscoring form for Bayer Leverkusen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
