If Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez’s success in 2020 is measured against how Zlatan Ibrahimovic fared in the previous two seasons for the LA Galaxy, Chicharito believes that actually takes the pressure off.
At least that's how he explained it in a recent interview on the ESPN’s Now or Never show, saying he didn't feel a particular burden to replace the recently departed giant Swede with an outsized personality to match.
“Not really, because he didn’t win a championship,” Chicharito said. “If we win a championship, that's going to change everything.”
From a production standpoing, Chicharito has his work cut out to match Ibrahimovic's 52 goals and 17 assists in 56 league matches for LA. But as far as team success, Chicharito pointed out, LA advanced no further than the Western Conference Semifinals last year with Ibrahimovic leading the front line.
Some observers believe tactically the 31-year-old Mexican striker can make the Galaxy a more well-rounded team while partnering with wide players Cristian Pavon and Aleksandar Katai.
That's not to say Ibrahimovic can't still cut as an elite scorer still. The 38-year-old has three goals and an assist since rejoining Italian Serie A side AC Milan. Chicharito might just be a better fit for GM Dennis te Klose and coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
“Zlatan has been a very special here all around the world, not only here [with] the Galaxy,” Chicharito said. “You see right now in AC Milan, he went there and started scoring goals, AC Milan started playing better. He’s a very special guy.
“But one of the things I spoke about with Dennis, with Guillermo was they saw in me apart from scoring goals that I will be the best fit for the team to get the most valuable and most important thing for us that is winning a championship.”
LA have won the most MLS Cups (five) in league history, most recently taking three of four between 2011 and 2014. Chicharito, naturally, hopes to add another.
