Lucas Hernandez speaks out: targets, rivalry with Mendes, confidence… | OneFootball

Lucas Hernandez, 29 years old, defender for Paris Saint-Germain and the French National Team, opened up to the media outlet Carré about his return to form and his conquering mindset. Long hindered by a serious injury, the French international explains that he is finally regaining his sensations and continuity, with a great season and the World Cup in his sights. He also candidly discusses his competition with Nuno Mendes (23-year-old left-back) and the impressive Désiré Doué (20-year-old midfielder/forward).

Hernandez "Trying to fit into a team like this is very complicated."

You seem to be in great shape, have you ever felt this good at PSG?

It's true that I'm feeling better and better. It's something I've known for a long time, that I needed my time to get good sensations. It's sure that it doesn't just happen, you need to have playing time and continuity. It all has to come together. Right now, I'm in a good dynamic.

Last year, when I came back from injury, it's never easy to return mid-season like that, with the team already well-oiled. With the XXL performances of all the players. Trying to fit into a team like this is very complicated.

I was aware of this and I knew what I was capable of. The coach knew he could always count on me. This year, I did what I had to do during the small break, to prepare well to follow up with a big season, with this World Cup at the end. It's one of the objectives.

How do you feel?

I feel very good, physically and mentally. I feel at the top. The more continuity I have in the matches, the better I feel. It's something you get on the field, the minutes you play help to improve. I feel very good, at the top, with the desire to play matches in a row.

Hernandez "Mentally, I am very strong"

These two years have been hard? Did you ever think you wouldn't get back to your top level?

No, I always believed in myself. Mentally, I am very strong and I knew it would come back. But it's true that when you're in a big team, like last year when we were only having good performances with players who were at the top, it's not easy to fit into a team like that.

But I was confident, I knew my moment would come, sooner or later. Last year, we had an extraordinary season, I played a somewhat secondary role, but I am also happy with what I achieved. But this year, things are starting to change, I feel better and better with a big objective at the end of the season. It's my first objective.

Hernandez "I'm someone who loves adversity and big duels"

Did the duel against Yamal boost your confidence?

I'm someone who likes adversity and big duels, challenges. I always try to be present. It was a bit of a complicated moment in the match with Nuno who was having an extraordinary match, but who had a yellow card. The coach managed that well. He knew that Nuno could continue the match, but playing one-on-one against Yamal, he could get his second yellow at any moment.

He believed in me, he told me to go on the field and put Nuno as a winger. The only advice he gave me was: 'please don't get a yellow card in the first few minutes' (laughs). It went well. I was able to finish the match and follow up with the match against Lille. Now, it's the French National Team. And after, there are still big matches. Only the rhythm of the matches allows you to feel better.

Did Deschamps' confidence play a role when it was more complicated at the club?

Of course. When you have the confidence of the coach of the French National Team, it's extraordinary. These are incredible moments. When there is this season without playing much, but there is this confidence, you forget the bad moments. It was logical that I didn't play with the excellent performances of my teammates, I'm honest. But when you get the call from the selector, it's a great confidence. It helps to clear your head and come back to give everything.

Hernandez "Not to leave through the back door"

A departure considered this summer and why stay?

Of course, there were interests. But as I told my agents, I have a big challenge here. We had an extraordinary season, I have 3 years left on my contract. In football, you never know, but I couldn't leave without playing, being a secondary actor. That's not possible for me. If one day I have to leave PSG, I want to be a very important person and not leave through the back door.

Particularly hard with your track record to be a substitute?

From the outside, it's true that I have a big track record, I've lived moments, but I'm a very honest and simple person. When you see that the team is doing well and is performing XXL, that no one can touch the team, there's nothing to say. The only thing to say is to train better and give everything in training so that the coach can, if there's a small problem, count on me.

Hernandez "He knows I'm here to help him."

What's the competition like with Nuno Mendes? Is he the best left-back in the world right now?

First of all, of course he's the best in the world. Without a doubt. But I'm used to it. At Bayern, I had Alphonso Davies prime, he was at 2000 per hour (smile). At every club, the competition has a crazy season. Davies was the best at that time, now it's Nuno. But the goal is to confirm to be performant, that they know there is competition.

Nuno is the best right now, but he needs to know that I'm here. We get along very well, we can also play together. He knows I'm here to help him. We have a great group, we hope to have another memorable season.

Hernandez "Mentally and physically, I feel at the top."

How would you describe your story with PSG so far? What's your mindset? Is the adventure really starting now?

No, not at all. When I arrived, I started off very well. I was very serene, it was a nearly perfect season, but we lost in the Champions League semi-finals and, unfortunately, I got injured. Last season was very difficult for me. It's never easy when you injure your cruciate ligaments, a 2nd time in 2 years. At some point, the body gives up.

But I did everything to come back as quickly as possible. I came back in December, it's never easy. I tried to perform every time, but it's not easy when you lack minutes and landmarks, when you're not used to playing with your teammates.

But I never gave up, I always believed in myself and now I try to be performant every time I have the opportunity. The year will be different. Mentally and physically, I feel at the top. I hope it will be a great season.

Hernandez "They have confidence, they can help us."

Is there stress in the squad due to injuries?

It's never when you finish a season in mid-July without a break and 1 month later there's a European Super Cup final. It's not easy, it's normal that it gives up.

Is it too many matches?

Of course it's too much, it's abuse. All the teams had more breaks. Physically, especially mentally, you need to cut sometimes. The coach manages that well, with the rest days. But we hardly have any time.

The Titis have opportunities, they are impressive?

They are young people with a lot of personality. Quentin Ndjantou was a starter for the first time and he had a very good performance. They have confidence, they can help us, even more so at the moment. They can do good, it's up to them to continue.

Any anecdotes at PSG?

The best moment is when we win the Champions League. We celebrate that, it's 5am, 6am and in the room I'm with the stewards and I don't see the players anymore, I ask where they've gone, if there's a meeting, the last one in class (laughs).

Hernandez "He's the player who impressed me the most."

The funniest teammate?

Ousmane! He's unique. It's his way of being, his personality (smile). When the coach has a meeting and he asks a player to speak, even when he answers well Ousmane makes us laugh.

The most impressive on the field?

Dés (Désiré Doué). When he arrived in Paris, I didn't really know him. Physically, he's very, very strong, a real athlete. He has a real mentality. You can tell he's someone who loves to win and that's all he's looking for. He's the player who impressed me the most since I arrived. Neymar, Ousmane, I already knew. But Désiré came with a force. Even in training, he impressed me a lot.

What do you think when you enter at 4-0 in the LDC final? Is it already won?

I'm sure we're going to score again. I enter with the mindset of having the ball and scoring again.

Hernandez "we can continue to create the history of the club, the city and the country."

How do you imagine the future? More years at PSG? Finish in Saudi Arabia with your brother?

I'm very serene, I have 3 years left here in Paris. It's a magnificent club, with incredible sporting projects. I'm very happy in Paris. When I left Bayern to come here, it was to do great things. We've already done great things, but I know we can continue to create the history of the club, the city and the country. The goal is to continue here and be an important player at PSG.

A second Champions League in a row, do you believe in it?

Of course, that's why I'm here! (smile). If there's a team to do that, it's PSG, with our good and young players. As well as the coach, with his motivation.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.