For the fourth season running, the Talent Radar Awards recognise the best individuals across Europe’s top leagues across seven primary categories.
[Eligibility: As of 1st June 2016 – 21 years old and below for outfield players // 22 years old and below for goalkeepers]
THE SHORT
The young left back has already caused enough trouble for Real Madrid to violate an alleged ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between themselves and their city rivals Atletico Madrid. Young Hernandez, brother of Lucas Hernandez, spent the season on loan at Alaves, playing a crucial role in their positive La Liga campaign and their run to the Copa Del Rey final.
Having initially made the move due to frustration at the lack of first team opportunities, Hernandez has shown enough to suggest that he can be a decisive player for any of the top teams in La Liga. Despite being just 19-years-old, Theo Hernandez has exhibited pace, power, and intelligent reading of the game to be very effective as a left back at Alaves.
Hernandez has proven the effectiveness of the loan system, and more importantly, proven his point with his performances earning him the title of one of the best young left backs in the league. He’ll be behind Marcelo to start with, but he’s got the talent to overhaul the Brazilian and take over the left back slot for Real Madrid.
OTHER TALENT RADAR ACCOLADES
EXPERT TALK
This is what Robbie Dunne, journalist with AS English, told Outside of the Boot:
“Theo is big and powerful and loves getting forward with the kind of pace that always keeps defending teams honest. He is only 19 and if his ambition with an upcoming move to Real Madrid can be matched on the field, we are in for a treat watching him for the next decade and a bit.”
Here’s what Petter Velland, commentator with Viasport, told us:
Theo Hernández has bursted forward from his left back position with similarities to how Gareth Bale flourished when he got his breakthrough at White Hart Lane. His physical appearance is impressive, with a pace not often seen amongst players with his height (185 cm), and his performances for Alavés this season has been nothing but impressive and liberating, and has some sort of storytelling by it. 2017 will most likely be the year when one of the most promising left backs in the world chose to leave Atlético Madrid to play for their main rival Real Madrid, and yet I do believe we will talk even more about his football skills.
Eduardo Alvarez, commentator with ESPNFC, had this to say about Theo:
“Raised in a family of footballers, this physically imposing left-back covers the flank with impressive determination, moves forward with ease and can cross as well as a winger. Too dramatic in his fouling, needs to be more careful with his disciplinary record (11 cards in 28 La Liga starts this season) but, at 19 years of age, has plenty of time to improve that aspect of his game.”
Rafael Hernandez, founder of Grup14, told us this about the youngster:
Developed by Atletico Madrid’s academy, Theo is set to become Marcelo’s backup plan as Zidane seeks to add depth to the only position his squad lacked in a season where shrewd rotating and trust in his backup players put him on the edge of achieving Real Madrid’s first UCL-League double since 1958.
AWARD HISTORY
| Season | Player | Age (at the time) | Nationality | Club (at the time) | Current Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Theo Hernandez | 19 | France | Deportivo Alaves (on loan from Atletico Madrid) | Deportivo Alaves (on loan from Atletico Madrid) |
| 2015-16 | Gianluigi Donnarumma | 17 | Italy | AC Milan | AC Milan |
| 2014-15 | Munir El Haddadi | 19 | Spain | Barcelona | Valencia (on loan from Barcelona) |
| 2013-14 | Adnan Januzaj | 19 | Belgium | Manchester United | Sunderland (on loan from Manchester United) |
Read all our 2016-17 Talent Radar Awards
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