Javier Hernandez has taken a while to find form since his return to the Premier League but his performances in recent weeks have given West Ham a key boost, ahead of the key stage of the season.
The Mexican striker, formerly of Manchester United, returned to England last summer from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, joining the Hammers in a deal worth £16m.
29-year-old Hernandez had to regularly settle for a role on the bench during his time with the Red Devils, becoming known as a super-sub, but turned down the chance of regular football at Tottenham Hotspur to fight for his place.
Speaking to ESPN, former Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas revealed he tried to sign the north American striker during his time at White Hart Lane.
“I was close to signing Chicharito, I still have a very good relationship with him. He always said: ‘Coach, I’m going to fight for my position [at United] and I’ll fight until the end.’
“I told him that he should give me an opportunity that he should come, but no. He believed in himself a lot and that also excited me. In the end we weren’t able to come to an agreement.”
Had Hernandez chosen that career path, it’s highly unlikely that he would now find himself at the London Stadium.
