Pellegrini says Hernandez has had a ‘special’ season after Huddersfield escape act

Add as preferred source on Google

Manuel Pellegrini hailed match-winner Javier Hernandez’s ‘special’ season after he inspired West Ham’s 4-3 comeback victory over basement boys Huddersfield on Saturday.

According to the Sunday People’s Total Football pull-out, page 8, 17/03, Pellegrini said that the former Manchester United man had eased the pressure on himself as an impressive campaign continued.

Pellegrini said: “Javier was playing very well in all the games except maybe the game against Cardiff. He’s always an important player, he’s always a danger.

“For a player to be a substitute, your mind has to be so important, but I don’t agree he is better as a substitute. He has had a special season.”

Hernandez’s West Ham future is far from certain – he started on the bench behind the unpopular and ineffectual Marko Arnautovic against the Terriers.

Furthermore, in January, Sky Sports quoted Valencia manager Marcelino as saying Chicharito wanted to join his side during the winter window.

But he remains West Ham’s most effective striker and if Arnautovic and Andy Carroll are seen as dispensible this summer, Hernandez should take up the mantle as first-choice striker and not supersub.

He is a top goalscorer who needs the right service, a run of games and the confidence of his manager to succeed.