Phil Hay has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic’s The Phil Hay Show about all things relating to Leeds United.
One of the topics he spent a bit of time on was Pablo Hernandez and how the Spaniard probably doesn’t have too long left in the game and how he is trying to make the most of his time.
So far this season in the Premier League, the 35-year-old has only made two starts and two further substitute appearances as a groin injury picked up before the Fulham game made him miss three league matches.
In the games he has played, he has turned in a poor average rating of 6.11/10 and is Leeds’ joint-second-worst player in the league so far (as per WhoScored).
Hay spent some time talking about the Spaniard and revealed that he doesn’t believe Hernandez has long left in the game as a player – but for the moment, can still contribute to Leeds.
He said: “There aren’t going to be an endless number of opportunities for him anymore.
“We are seven games into the season; he’s played just over a game and a half of that.
“When we interviewed him, he said to us, ‘the day when I find that everybody’s faster than me, or everybody thinks quicker than me, or everybody’s more talented than me, I will go.’
“[That] time isn’t right now; he still feels like he’s got plenty about him.
“I just think he will find it difficult to accept the way the game is going, because he will want to play as well as he can for as long as he can, and he hasn’t got a huge amount of time left.”
Do you think Hernandez should retire soon?
No, he still has plenty to offer
Yes, time to go
TIF Thoughts on Hernandez and Hay’s view on him…
Since joining Leeds on loan in the summer of 2016, the former Swansea City man has made 162 appearances, scored 36 goals and provided 39 assists for the Whites.
So, you could argue he has been a good signing, and even when he was in the Premier League with the Swans, he scored five goals and provided 15 assists, so he has proven in the past that he can play in the top flight.
However, he is older now and has struggled so far this season, but it seems Hernandez still believes that he can play at this level, so we hope that he can show his true worth for the rest of the season.