Lucas Hernandez: My original position is center-back

Since his €80m move from Atletico Madrid in 2019,

has experienced going through all sorts of positional and fitness transitions. Having joined the club with a ligament injury, the French defender was gradually introduced to his new team in the latter stages of the 2019-20 season. However, he was surprised to see his favorite left-back position being occupied by the (then) newcomer Alphonso Davies.

The France international was used as a backup for Davies and David Alaba in both the center-back and left-back positions during the last season. However, his chances of getting regular game time have increased after the departures of Alaba and Jerome Boateng this summer. The Frenchman has formed a defensive unit alongside his countryman Dayot Upamecano at the heart of Bayern’s backline, while still being considered as a backup for Davies too.

In a new interview by German outlet

Bild

, the Frenchman was asked about his favorite position.

"I've always said that my main position was center-back,"

Hernandez said.

"That's where I played as a youth player,

"However, when I became a professional player under [Diego] Simeone, I played both on the left and as a center-back. My best performances were at center-back. And for the national team, I play as a left-back. But I'm always available to play at center-back if needed.

"It is a position I like very much. It's my original position, I grew up in this position, though I do enjoy playing on the left.

He added: "[Julian] Nagelsmann wants me to play at center-back here at Bayern, but I can always play as left-back if needed."

Bayern are enjoying incredible form under Julian Nagelsmann, winning five of their first six Bundesliga games of the new season. The Bavarians will face Eintracht Frankfurt in their next league game on Sunday.

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