Milan left-back Theo Hernandez said having Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the team ‘is a plus’, spoke about his relationship with Inter defender Achraf Hakimi, and expects a ‘hard and intense’ derby.
The French defender has impressed since his move to Milan from Real Madrid and technical director Paolo Maldini has encouraged him to try to become one of the best full-backs in the world.
Milan left-back Theo Hernandez said having Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the team ‘is a plus’, spoke about his relationship with Inter defender Achraf Hakimi, and expects a ‘hard and intense’ derby.
The French defender has impressed since his move to Milan from Real Madrid and technical director Paolo Maldini has encouraged him to try to become one of the best full-backs in the world.
“Yes, I think so too,” Hernandez told DAZN. “I think that with the work I’m doing, I deserve it.
“But I have to work even harder, day after day, and hope that one day the moment will come.
“I focus on myself to do the best, then people will evaluate.”
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic available from the start of the season, Milan have strengthened their chances to go all the way and Hernandez praised the Swede.
“At the moment [we have no excuses]. We work hard every day and then we’ll see how it ends,” he added.
“Having Ibra in the team is a plus. What’s impressive is his physique. He’s 39, but it’s amazing how physical he is on the pitch and how he helps his teammates.”
But he joked the veteran is annoying in training.
“A lot,” he laughed. “He is on everyone’s back. When we miss a pass, he tells us that we must give more.
“But the truth is that he’s a great person and a good companion. Sometimes he scolds us, but it’s OK. It’s right that he tells us what to do.”
Theo said he talks to his brother Lucas, who is capped 21 times by France, and admitted he works hard to follow in his footsteps.
“We have an excellent relationship. We talk every day and the truth is that we are very united, brothers until death.
“We don’t talk about the national team, not yet… I work hard to be able to play for the national team.
“I have to work every day and hope to be called up. I’m French. It’s true that I was young when I lived in Spain, but that doesn’t mean anything.
“I was born in France, my family is French and I’m French.”
Hernandez looks forward to the ‘important’ the Derby della Madonnina this weekend, when Milan face Inter in the Scudetto battle.
“The truth is that all derbies are important here in Milan, but this will be especially important for our position.
“This is why it will be a great match.”
He will face one of his former teammates at Real Madrid, as Achraf Hakimi moved to Inter last summer.
“We were both at Real and we didn’t play much. The best thing we could do was to leave, because if you don’t play, you aren’t happy and you don’t have the opportunities you would like to have.
“Both Hakimi and I have done our best and now we are here in Milan. Achraf is an incredible player, he has a lot of talent, speed, quality, we are very similar.
“I won’t tell him anything before the derby. On the pitch we are enemies, but outside we are good friends.”
Hernandez expects another tough battle in this weekend’s Milan derby but stressed the Rossoneri intend to beat their local rivals.
“It will be a hard and intense match, but I think we will have a good game,” he said. “In reality, I fear no one and my teammates aren’t afraid either.
“We will play our game and fight to win."