Season Grades: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez
Assessing Chicharito 2023 season and future with the LA Galaxy
2023 was supposed to be there where the LA Galaxy and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez did some real damage in MLS. His 18 goals in 2022 helped lead the Galaxy back into the MLS Cup Playoffs and earned him another year with LA as he revealed that he triggered a performance clause in his contract last season.
It ended in the worst possible way with a torn ACL in his right knee midseason which kept him out for the rest of the season. Mexico’s all-time top scorer played in nine games and accumulated 688 minutes played during the MLS campaign. In that time on the pitch, he notched a goal and an assist.
The Galaxy’s attack suffered without their big-name striker and captain. I think many expected him to continue his goalscoring ways but he was not at the same level we are used to seeing from him in his short time on the pitch.
Season Highlight
This was Chicharito’s lone goal of the season. A great pass by Dejan Joveljic gives the Mexican striker a great chance in front of Austin’s Brad Stuver.
Looking at the numbers
When looking at the data, it shows that Chicharito was an active player in the attack but didn’t convert that into goals. He was in the 82nd percentile for total shots but only finished the season with one goal. He averaged 5.2 touches in the attacking penalty area. His 3.1 shots per 90 minutes this campaign is the highest total in his career.
With a preseason injury delaying his return to the field, Chicharito had to build his way back into match sharpness. This is evident as his finishing was very poor in his appearances this season. He recorded a G-xG tally of -3.0 - that currently ranks as the ninth worst in MLS.
The data and eye test show that he did the right things and was able to get into good spots on the pitch but didn’t execute. He put up shots and the numbers show he should’ve had more than just one goal this season.
Grade: F
Chicharito didn’t have an impact during the season when he played - as a goalscorer and part of LA’s possession. He missed the Galaxy’s first five games of the season and then unfortunately suffered a torn ACL to end his season and potentially LA Galaxy career.
He visibly regressed in his technical ability, finishing, and link-up play with the rest of his teammates. As I mentioned earlier, his G-xG tally is among the worst in the league and he hasn’t played since May 27.
As a DP, you expected more production out of him and to be clinical in the chances he got. It was a disappointing season for him when he played, and unfortunately, his season ended so early.
Could he return next season?
It’s hard to find a convincing reason why the Galaxy should resign a 35-year-old forward coming off major surgery. Not to mention his visible regression in athleticism and technical ability is a glaring red flag.
There aren’t enough good moments on the pitch this campaign to explain why LA should keep him around for another season. His locker room presence and command on the team were visible in his years with the Galaxy but eventually, those players will move on.
With the Galaxy potentially having two DP spots open this winter, it’s going to be an opportunity the club will want to take full advantage of. If he returns to the club, it will be the most surprising move of the offseason in MLS.
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