Leeds United won against Sunderland at Elland Road in the Championship on Saturday.
Heckingbottom was pleased with the performance of Hernandez for Leeds against Sunderland at Elland Road in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The 32-year-old, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, scored in the 72nd minute of the match to help the Whites to a 1-1 draw.
Heckingbottom has praised Hernandez for his performance in a rather unfamiliar role as a central midfielder against Sunderland.
The former Barnsley manager told BBC Radio Leeds about Hernandez on Saturday: “He was good again today. I asked a lot more of him in the role in central midfield.
“To start with, when we first made the change, him and Samu were really two attacking, too high, and it was Sunderland’s best spell.
“Pablo gets a goal, and it gave me an opportunity to really get to speak to him about the role and to play in the middle of the pitch with Ronnie, and he showed a good discipline to his game as well.
“While we know what he is like with the ball, tactically he has got a really good understanding as well.”
Quality footballer
Hernandez is one of the best players in the Championship and is a key figure in the current Leeds team.
The Spaniard has been playing well for the West Yorkshire outfit this campaign, and his performance against Sunderland once again underlined his quality.
The former Swansea City and Valencia star has scored seven goals and provided eight assists in 30 Championship starts for Leeds so far this season.
With Hernandez’s current contract running out at the end of the season, it would be wise of Leeds to hand him a new deal.
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