Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez finally ended his goal drought dating back to October 1st by scoring against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday. Chicharito’s sixth goal of the campaign arrived in his 17th league match amidst rumors of a possible January transfer exit.
However, Leverkusen director Rudi Voller has dismissed such claims, saying the club would only sell Hernandez for “crazy money.” While Chicharito almost certainly won’t match his impressive total of 17 Bundesliga goals last campaign, Voller expects him to improve over the second half of the season.
Chicharito had failed to score in over 1,100 minutes of action for Leverkusen, an astonishing total of over 18 hours for the striker.
Chicharito had published a series of inspirational quotes over the past couple of weeks — the Mexican international was clearly impacted by the drought and desperate to get back on the scoresheet.
Do not look back and ask yourself "Why?"
Look ahead and ask yourself "Why not?"#blessed #faithandtrust pic.twitter.com/B59QSv0Hbv— Chicharito Hernandez (@CH14_) January 28, 2017
On Saturday, he scored a classic, predatory Chichagol to put his side up 2-0 in the 34th minute.
The goal that ended the drought for Chicharito! #B04BMG #Bundesliga https://t.co/KVXjsLjfnR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 28, 2017
Borussia Mönchengladbach would score three second half goals and win the match, 3-2. Chicharito will have almost certainly preferred the three points, but Leverkusen will be relieved that the drought is over for their key striker.
Leverkusen are a disappointing eighth in the Bundesliga table, but they still have a Champions League round of 16 matchup with Atletico Madrid to look forward to.