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Cape Town - Following his departure from Manchester United last year, Javier Hernandez has found a new home and the best form of his career, at Bayer Leverkusen.
It has taken 'Chicharito' a long time to break his reputation as a super sub. The Mexico international spent several years at United, and also 12 months at Real Madrid, trying to become a regular in their starting line-ups.
And now, seven years after moving to Europe from Guadalajara, the 27-year-old appears to have finally found the club where he feels he's adding the value befitting of his talent.
Hernandez has made 42 appearances in all competitions since his arrival at Leverkusen, scoring 26 times and providing four assists - stats impressive enough to see him awarded the Bundesliga player of the month three times.
"I feel very important," he told France Football. "I'm in top form. This is my best season so far.
"Bayer Leverkusen is a great club. In recent years, the team was able to regularly qualify for the Champions League.
"Everything here attracted me - economically, athletically and the relationship to the environment. I have all the guarantees for which I longed for."
Despite reports that his departure from Old Trafford was somewhat of an acrimonious affair, the striker had nothing negative to say about Louis van Gaal, the manager that eventually ended his stay with the Red Devils.
"No, I never had a problem, because he has just said everything to my face." Hernandez said of Van Gaal.
"He told me that he would not count on me. If there was a good deal, he and Manchester would be satisfied and would let me go. And now everything is going well. Better than I could have imagined."
