Milan left-back Theo Hernandez has admitted he still holds his former club Real Madrid ‘close to his heart’, but has also praised Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli, while insisting that his sole focus is currently on Serie A and the Europa League.
Hernandez gave an interview to Spanish outlet AS, published on Saturday morning, during which he discussed his career to date at San Siro, while also commenting on the LaLiga leaders and their search for a new left-back.
Now into his fifth season in Italy, the Frenchman believes that he is currently in prime condition and feels that Milan has become his second home.
“Both sportingly and personally, I feel very good here,” he told AS. “I am devoted to this wonderful city that welcomed me as if it were my home from the get go. Everything has been very easy since the beginning. I have started a family, I feel at home and very happy.”
Hernandez also believes that he is currently playing the best football of his career to date.
“I am convinced of it. A player never stops improving, but I feel a lot of maturity at the moment and I feel the confidence of my coach and my teammates, which shows on the pitch.
“Pioli is a coach who is very close to his players and someone who has supported me at all times. He has given me the confidence to exploit my qualities and I have tried to repay him with my work on the pitch.
“I am very grateful to him both personally and professionally.”
AS also asked Hernandez about his previous connections with Real Madrid. The 26-year-old spent two years on the Spanish giants’ books between 2017 and 2019, which also included a season spent out on loan with Real Sociedad.
“I only have thoughts of gratitude for Madrid because of the strong commitment they made for me at the time. I am a person who likes to look to the future, but I focus all my thoughts on the present. But as a grateful individual. The club holds a special place in my heart.”
When pushed on the topic of a potential transfer back to the Spanish capital in the future, Hernandez said: “I think about the day-to-day, not so much about the future. At Real MAdrid, I have great friends and fantastic memories, but I am a Milan player now.
“I feel very good here and I’m not thinking about other things. I am completely focussed on what I have to do each day for this shirt.”
L’intervista integrale di @TheoHernandez a @diarioas tra l’attuale momento della sua carriera, l’importanza di Maldini, il suo futuro, Pioli, il rapporto con Brahim, Ibrahimovic e tanto altro
— Beatrice Sarti (@_BeatriceSarti) February 10, 2024