Javier Hernandez truly lives by the mantra of putting his team before himself, but his goalscoring form is helping on both fronts.
Javier Hernandez truly lives by the mantra of putting his team before himself, but his goalscoring form is helping on both fronts.

Chicharito: 'Top four matters, not goals'

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Few players have taken the Bundesliga by storm in the manner of Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, but for the Mexican megastar success as a team - and not as an individual - remains the priority.

Priorities set

With 19 goals in 22 competitive appearances for Die Werkself, much has been made of Hernandez's headline-grabbing purple patch in the 2015/16 season, but he is desperate for his efforts to count for something more than personal glory when it matters most.

"It doesn't matter if I score 34 goals if we don't get into the UEFA Champions League spots," said Hernandez, whose side currently lie just a place and , synonymous with a berth at European club football's top table. "The most important thing is how we can give everything to make Leverkusen win points in the Bundesliga, and get through into the next round of the UEFA Europa League and the DFB Cup. When the team secures good results all the individual, good performances come by consequence."

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- © Bayer 04 Leverkusen/KSVerlag

'Chicharito' on the secret of his success at Leverkusen

In terms of a goals-to-starts ratio, most of Hernandez’s appearances in Manchester came from the bench, while a record of nine goals in 12 starts while on loan Real Madrid CF last season was nothing to be ashamed of. "Now I've scored 19 goals in 22 starts so I think you can look more at these kind of performances because I've been playing the whole game," said Hernandez, highlighting the key to his success since his summer move to the BayArena. "This run of games helps me to be more confident and to be more helpful for the team. Not only with my goals."

'I'm very happy'

- © Jan Krebs