Some people work best in silence, and it’s clear Lucas Hernandez is one of those people. Actions it seems, hold more weight than words for the Atletico Madrid defender.
It’s become something of a running theme at Atleti how Lucas operates. He comes to work, punches in, does a good job, then clocks out. There are few like him around nowadays and it’s maybe why Diego Simeone has become so taken with the Marseille-born player.
Lucas’ emergence with Atleti has been going on for some time, but now it seems he’s ready to push on even further and become a regular fixture as the club enters a new era. Notable performances in his initial forays into the first team included strong displays against Barcelona. Lucas began to create a name for himself as a reliable, unfazed youngster. Impressive all the more that when given his chance in the first team, he was still mixing it with the Junveil side in the UEFA Youth League.
Simeone became enamoured with the fact Lucas took everything in his stride, and handled the pressure of being in a key Champions League fixture all in his stride. The 21-year-old has retained such an attitude, and while not a first team regular he has handled being a rotational player extremely well.
"I'm an ambitious player, I want to be a starter even though it's difficult. I'll fight to be as competitive as possible and be ready when the coach needs me,” said Lucas in an interview towards the end of 2016.
"[Simeone] has spoken with me, always believed in me and given me chances. He told me that if I stay here, I'll become an important player."
There has no grumblings of discontent, or arrogance on his part. There easily could be, by the way, but instead he’s gone the other way. His patience has been rewarded with four consecutive starts for Atletico Madrid this season - at the same point last year he had not played a single minute.
It’s not only Lucas’ attitude off the field and in training that Simeone is impressed by however. If you look at his game, then it becomes more clear why the Argentinean coach views the player as an ideal fit at Atleti.
There is an approach akin to Sergio Ramos’ when it comes to defending. Quick reading of the game and decision making, with not a minutes doubt over an action. Lucas is clear and calculated when it comes to decision making in defence. He reads the game superbly and in turn it allows him to intercept and clear danger with astounding assertiveness. This confidence is rarely seen in young players who perhaps second guess themselves in a moments notice.
Generally speaking, Lucas is blessed with a variety of attributes. He’s strong, aggressive and dominant in the air. He’s also quick, and very capable on the ball. His performances covering at full-back brought this to the fore, as well as his versatility. This turn at full-back demonstrated the balance in his game, the ability to support the attack without disregarding his defensive duties - an area he is clearly more comfortable in.
It’s maybe something that has piqued the interest of Julen Lopetegui. The Spain coach is reportedly toying with the idea of calling Lucas up, and would be within his rights to do so given the player hasn’t represented the nation of his birth at any higher level than Under-21. Lucas himself has also hinted he’d listen to any phone call that would come from Spain.
Back at club level, Diego Godin is a cornerstone of Atleti’s backline but the first hints of his decline occurred last season. In the future, there will be two spots up for grabs when it comes to centre-back. José María Giménez, like Lucas, has impressed when given a chance and it could be the pair are Atleti’s future. For now however there is a battle between the pair for the role, and Stefan Savic can’t be discounted either given Simeone’s fondness for the Montenegrin.
No matter the competition for places, or position in general, Lucas is happy and always ready to play a part. It’s this attitude that might well land him a lead role.
