- 20 Dec 2024
Hernandez ready to embrace Davies competition and remain at Bayern
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
- 2 min read
Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez says that he has never considered leaving the club.
After making a £72 million (€80m) move from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, he endured a difficult first season with the Bundesliga champions. Injuries to his right knee and ankle forced him out for an extended period and opened the door for Alphonso Davies to feature.
The young Canadian grasped his chance emphatically and was one of the standout performers as Bayern stormed to the Champions League title.
With Davies facing a spell out, Lucas is determined to justify Bayern’s investment.
“Even when the situation wasn’t favourable for me last season, I always saw myself staying at Bayern,” he told France Football. “I’m well aware the club went to a great effort to sign me, particularly financially.
“I’ve got a contract that runs for four years.
“I’ve always felt the confidence of the club, from the board, the coach and my team-mates. They have told me they count on me. Not for a single second have I envisaged a departure.
“Not only do I want to stay here, I want to impose myself here and write myself into the club’s history. I’m at an incredible club in every regard.”
Lucas Hernandez on ‘world’s best’ Davies
Hernandez, meanwhile, sung the praises of Davies, the man who is his direct competition for the left-back spot.
“With his speed, his technical qualities and his sense of placement, he was the best left-back in the world last season. We saw that notably in the Champions League,” he said. “Personally, I need this competition to improve.”
Before moving to Germany, Lucas had been a long-time member of Atletico Madrid’s set up. He joined the club in 2007 as an 11-year-old and worked his way through the academy system into the first team.
His breakthrough campaign arrived in 2017/18, in which strong performances led to him being selected for the France World Cup squad. He was the regular left-back as Les Bleus won the title in Russia.
Since moving to Germany, though, he has managed only 35 appearances in around 15 months. He has scored one goal and set up three more.
