Ancelotti challenges Chicharito to maintain streak

Andy West 10:10 28/04/2015
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  • Flying solo: Javier Hernandez has scored crucial goals in recent weeks for Real Madrid.

    Fresh from the best week of his Real Madrid career to date, Carlo Ancelotti has declared Javier Hernandez has a guaranteed future at the Bernabeu if he sustains his current form.

    Hernandez has spent the majority of the season on the bench after signing on a season-long loan from Manchester United, sparking speculation that the Bernabeu club had no interest in extending his stay in Spain amid reports of interest from Juventus and Southampton.

    But the Mexican has emerged from the shadows to score three crucial goals in the last few days, netting the winner in the Champions League clash with Atletico 
    Madrid and adding a brace in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo.

    Ancelotti reacted by opening up the possibility of Hernandez staying at the club beyond the end of the current campaign – even if he doesn’t keep hold of a starting place – as he said: “If Chicharito is in this form, he is non-negotiable, like Cristiano, Benzema, James, Bale, Ramos, Isco, Varane, Pepe…

    “I have a team of non-negotiables, but only 11 can play and the rest have to stay on the bench.”

    The 26 year-old has taken advantage of Karim Benzema’s injury absence to score as many goals in the past two weeks as he managed in the previous seven months, and Ancelotti added: “He’s in really good form and he is enjoying it.”

    The Italian was also delighted with Madrid’s efforts in breaking down a tough Celta team, and insisted they will do everything possible to overcome Barcelona’s advantage at the top of the table.

    “Our objective is to force Barca to win every game,” he said.

    “That’s what the statistics say we have to do. At this moment they don’t look like slipping up but we are not thinking about other teams, only what we have to do. We will fight for La Liga until the final day.”

    Aside from Hernandez, the man catching the eye against Celta was James Rodriguez, who has been in excellent form since returning from a broken foot earlier this month.

    The Colombian midfielder scored his team’s third goal on the night after playing a major role in creating the first two, and he admitted that playing against such attacking opposition as Celta helps get the best out of Los Blancos.

    “When there are spaces, Real Madrid are a lot more dangerous because we have players who can take advantage of that,” he said.

    “I felt good out on the pitch, comfortable, but I want to highlight everyone’s work. We’re fighting for everything and we have to be focused at all times. All we can do is try to win every game.”

    Madrid host struggling Almeria tomorrow night with the possibility of being five points adrift of Barca.

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