Chicharito has finally made an appearance in an actual West Ham game. The Hammers' new number 17 took the field for the last 20 minutes or so of their friendly against German fifth-tier side Altona 93, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
Hopefully Chicharito can gain full fitness before West Ham's first league match, against Manchester United on August 13.
At Chivas, Chicharito wore number 14. At Manchester United, he wore number 14. At Real Madrid, he wore number 14. At Bayer Leverkusen, he wore number seven. For the Mexico National Team, he wears number 14. For West Ham, Pedro Obian wears number 14 and Sofiane Feghouli wears number seven, so Chicharito will wear number 17.
At the very least, it gives West Ham a clever little hashtag they can use.
After a disappointing Confederations Cup — and an even worse Gold Cup — the Mexican national team will be hoping for better things next summer. Confederations Cup and Gold Cups mean nothing compared to the glory of the World Cup and all will be forgiven for a forgettable 2017 if El Tri can put forth a stellar performance in Russia.
A handful of clubs in Europe will have a major impact on the success of El Tri at the 2018 World Cup.
Jose Mourinho is wary of facing a West Ham side that “looks like they are playing to win the Premier League” in Manchester United’s opening fixture of the season, citing the Hammers’ ambitious moves for Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the summer window.
After Mexico was upset by Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals, Manager Juan Carlos Osorio was met at the airport in Mexico City by angry fans who shouted for Osorio to "go back to his country" (Colombia). Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, the Mexico National Team's all-time leading scorer, defended his coach on Twitter.
After two years in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is returning to England and the Premier League with West Ham United. The club announced the move via video Monday.
Worth the wait.. #WelcomeChicha pic.twitter.com/ZPJQLPnRpb
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) July 24, 2017
Chicharito is on his way to West Ham for a medical, and if everything is good and cool there he will become a West Ham player. He will return to the Premier League after two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen. During his first season in Germany, Chicharito lit the world on fire with 26 goals in 40 appearances. During the second season he was good but not great, but he still had some pretty cool goals.
According to ESPN Mexico’s Sergio Dipp, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has agreed to join West Ham United in the Premier League after the London-based club triggered his $16.9 million release clause.
Chicharito will reportedly undergo a medical on Monday before finalizing the move from Bayer Leverkusen. One major note of intrigue is that the Hammers begin their Premier League campaign on August 13 against…can you guess who?
Well, I guess today is a holiday. Bayer Leverkusen has declared today, July 14, as international Chicharito day. The Mexican forward has scored 39 goals in 76 appearances for the German club, and that should probably be celebrated. Why not today?
That face you make when you realize it's the 14th day of the 7th month...#InternationalChicharitoDay pic.twitter.com/wDQUK2A3ug
Mexico already trailed by three when Marco Fabian lashed at the ball with all his might, catching everyone by surprise.
Fabian sliced a wonder strike past Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the 89th minute, but few will remember this match for that goal.
Instead, what will be remembered is El Tri surrendering two goals in the first eight minutes en route to a crushing 4-1 defeat in the Confederations Cup semifinals Thursday in Russia.
Germany will play Chile in the final on Sunday while Mexico gets a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal in the third-place game.