MLS: Bruce Arena shows that Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez must prove it
By Sam Minton
With the MLS abuzz about the possible acquisition of Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, New England Revolution manager Bruce Arena isn’t worried about going up against him.
The top story in Major League Soccer this offseason has been the rumored transfer of Javier Hernandez to the LA Galaxy. The move would bring a relatively young star to one of the top teams in MLS, as well as commercial potential unseen in the history of the league.
But New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena doesn’t seem all that concerned.
If Hernandez decided to come to the Galaxy, it would be one of the biggest moves in MLS history. LA would have their replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on and off the pitch.
Hernandez is the greatest goalscorer in Mexico’s history. He has scored 52 goals at the international level. Chicharito has also been on some of the world’s best teams playing — and scoring prolifically — for the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid.
All of this must have opposing teams shaking in their boots, right? Well, not exactly. One coach doesn’t think that he would even be the best player in MLS. During MLS Media Day, the manager of the New England Revolution gave praise to some players already in the league, rather than adding to the Hernandez reputation and lore:
"“We have a lot of good players [in MLS].[LAFC’s] Carlos Vela would probably have an argument there. I have an excellent player, Carles Gil, in New England. But if you think about it, just about every team in the league has outstanding players. I think Chicharito would be a good addition. I wouldn’t think that he’d be the best player in the league.”"
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Now, I wish I could say that I was surprised that Arena mentioned his own player, Carles Gil. But Arena definitely has an argument. Gil has become one of the best players on the New England Revolution’s roster. He had the best season of his career scoring 10 goals and creating 12 assists. Only four players notched double-digits in both goals and assists: Vela, Nani, Alejandro Pozuelo and Gil. It is esteemed company for the Revolution attacking midfielder to be in.
Also, it would have been an act of war for Arena not to have mentioned Carlos Vela. He was the MVP in 2019 racking up 34 goals and 10 assists in arguably the greatest individual season in league history. He broke the single-season goalscoring record, which was set by the equally remarkable Josef Martinez last year, and recorded more non-penalty goals and assists per 90 minutes that any player in MLS history, excluding for small sample sizes.
There is no doubt that having a guy like Chicharito come to MLS is a major move. It legitimizes the league as something more than a retirement destination and it offers an off-field significance in the biggest American soccer market.
Next. MLS: Javier Hernandez miss a disaster. dark
But even though it would be great for the league off the pitch, Javier Hernandez will have to earn the title of Best Player in MLS.