Reported Newcastle United target Lucas Hernandez is struggling tactically at Bayern Munich, head coach Hansi Flick has told Goal after the World Cup winner was subbed off yet again at the weekend.
In the last three years, the Bavarian giants have broken their transfer record to sign a pair of France internationals.
But like Corentin Tolisso, who has been restricted to just eight starts since the start of the 2018/19 campaign, Hernandez’s time in Munich has been littered by a series of injury issues.
The £72 million defender was signed in the expectation that he would offer Bayern a top-class option at both centre-half and left-back.
But, thanks largely to a long-standing ligament problem and the exceptional form of David Alaba and Alphonso Davies, Hernandez has failed to secure a regular berth in either position.
BILD even suggested that the former Atletico Madrid ace could be heading for the exit after just 12 underwhelming months in Germany, with Newcastle tipped to bring the all-action 24-year-old to St James’ Park.
Flick, however, is not giving up on one of the world’s most expensive defenders just yet – even if he admits that Hernandez is struggling to get to grips with life under the microscope in Munich.
“He was absent for a long time and therefore has tactical deficits,” says Flick, who will lead Bayern to an eighth successive Bundesliga title if they beat Werder Bremen on Tuesday night.
“(But) Lucas is an absolute professional, I like his dynamic training. I’m happy with him. I see his potential.”
Flick’s confidence in Hernandez, however, has not exactly been reflected in his game-time of late.
He played just five minutes during crucial clashes with Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, and was subbed off yet again after a less-than-impressive display during Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Monchengladbach.
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