Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez won't have any trouble adjusting to Real Madrid, said legend Hugo Sanchez, who played on three El Tri World Cup teams and won five league titles in his seven seasons at the Bernabeu.
"Fortune has smiled on him and in this case Real Madrid needed a centre-forward and 'Chicharito' met those characteristics," said Sanchez, who won four straight 'Pichichi' trophiesas La Liga's top goalscorer. "I hope he gets the time and the minutes to succeed on the squad."
Hernandez, 26, joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United with an option for a permanent deal. Hernandez on Monday called the move a "dream come true."
"I don't think playing style will be a factor because playing with Real Madrid is like playing on any other side in the world and you don't need much time to adapt to playing with the best in the world," said Sanchez. "He will adjust quickly. The only unknown is how many minutes he will get and in which matches because as it seems there are some set players on the side. But I hope he will have a chance to compete for a starter's role with the other forwards."
Sanchez said he remembers his opportunities with three Madrid teams. At present, there is a Mexican players on each of those three sides: Hernandez at Real Madrid, Raul Jimenez at Atletico Madrid and Javier Aquino at Rayo Vallecano.
"I had the satisfaction of collaborating and scoring goals on each of the three Madrid teams and have great memories," said Sanchez, who was an analyst for ESPN during the World Cup in Brazil. "Before Getafe was formed, I was the only one who had played on all three sides in Primera Division. I hope that all three of Mexico's representatives have great luck. I hope they don't feel pressure, I don't think they should be compared to me regarding their performance. Each has his own career path and shouldn't be weighed down by comparisons."
Sanchez said Hernandez's loan is the result of hard work.
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"'Chicharito' has always dreamed about playing top level international football and he started out very well at Manchester United, even though he saw very little playing time lately," said Sanchez. "I would said that a change would do him good as long as it was at the same level or superior to Manchester United. He had the luck to get this loan to a better team. Being at Real Madrid will be good for his motivation and I hope he has the time and gets the minutes to show how good he is."
Hernandez, meanwhile, said he wanted to make his own way at the Bernabeu, and shrugged off comparisons to Sanchez.
"Hugo Sanchez had a great career here, but I want to make a name for myself," Hernandez said during Monday's news conference. "I will give my all to repay Madrid for the trust they have shown in me. I want to win titles. A big team cannot rely on one player. You need a team to be successful. Out of all the big clubs in the world, Real Madrid are the biggest."