Change is hard, no matter who you are.
Change when you're one of
the most prized exports of a country of 121 million people is even
harder, especially when that change is initially received with derision.
Yet now, on the precipice of the Mexico's first World Cup qualifier since Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez left Manchester United for Bayer Leverkusen, it's clear another important lesson was learned: While change is hard, change is often necessary.Chicharito needed a change. Manchester United even now doesn't seem to know what it's looking for in attack and a loan spell to Real Madrid, where the Mexican had to fight with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema for the spotlight, never seemed too auspicious.
There were moments of success here and there, but now Chicharito is the star — and El Tri are better for it.
While the lack of playing time
on the club stage didn't seem to slow the 27-year-old too much at the
international level, the numbers show that he did fall into a bit of a
lull. His goal against Croatia in the 2014 World Cup broke a scoring
drought that had lasted exactly a year. He added two more in 2014 to
close the year with three goals, his lowest tally since his
international career started. This year, though he missed the Gold Cup
with injury, he's already bested that mark and is a good bet to add to
the four goals he's scored in the six Mexico games he's played this
year.
Entering the international break,
Chicharito has scored in his team's last six matches, amassing eight
total in that period. Perhaps he couldn't break into the regular
rotation at the world's largest teams, but he doesn't seem to be having
much trouble establishing himself as a fixture at a smaller Champions
League side.
Understandably, Bayer's directors are more than pleased, with
CEO Michael Schade saying, "He is a complete merchandise package. He is a
legend in Mexico. The media hype he has created is unbelievable. He has
exceeded all our expectations, for the Bayer company, too."
That legend is only set to grow
in Mexico, with Hernandez just four goals away from tying Jared Borgetti
as the nation's all-time leading scorer. And there's definitely time
for more heroics. If the 27-year-old can evade serious injury, he's a
shoo-in for Mexico's team at the World Cup, where he should be at or
around his best form.
Frankly, Mexico needs an in-form Chicharito right now more than ever. Carlos Vela,
who was the hottest Mexico player while Chicharito struggled, is going
through a down period of his own, with just two goals this season, and
is nursing an ankle injury.
Having Hernandez on the score
sheet is preferable to having a striker who must answer questions about
knocking off rust to score, as he did in March when he scored against
Ecuador. After that match Chicharito said "it's not easy to be four
months" without playing a full match.
It's tough, and everyone fears
it, but sometimes change is a good thing. An in-form Chicharito heading
into matches that matter? That's a welcome change for Mexico.
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