"You can't believe how popular Chicharito is here. Everything he does is huge news. If you can, you must get one of your guys to shadow him. Just to report on him. Chicharito is a goldmine."
So said a higher-up at Univision Deportes to us at Tribalfootball.com three years ago.
It was at the time of Javier Hernandez's zenith with Manchester United. He'd just hit 20 goals in his debut season, winning the Premier League at first attempt. Mexico couldn't get enough of their El Tri hero - and nor could soccer fans in Los Angeles and Miami. Forget Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the biggest name in Latin America was Chicharito.
Fast forward to today, work your way through the pitfalls of injury and managerial changes... and as he proved during April's exciting run of goals with Real Madrid, Chicharito's name is still a huge draw.
When they were suddenly flying in, the Real Madrid striker was again dominating the headlines - outshining even Ronaldo. There is an undefined affection between Hernandez and his fans in Mexico and the US.
Louis van Gaal, however, wants rid. With a year on his contract, United will sell.
Van Gaal may be confident United won't miss the Mexico international, but it will be a blow to the Premier League if Chicharito is lost to English football.
In partnership with NBC, the Premier League has made incredible strides in the US sports market this past year. Several games this season broke the 1 million viewers' barrier. In its second season of covering the Premier League, games on NBC have averaged 479,000 viewers - that's 118% higher than previous rights holders ESPN and Fox.
The Premier League isn't just out-rating the National Hockey League, they're smashing 'em. This is all without making a serious dent beyond the east coast - and with Chicharito running around in Spain. New York and Washington are where NBC is attracting its biggest soccer audiences.
Now, should Chicharito pop up at West Ham United or Everton in the coming months, all of a sudden LA, Miami and Dallas come into play. Our friends at Univision Deportes, well aware of NBC's growing soccer influence, have been quick to highlight the massive numbers their Liga MX coverage continues to attract in comparison with the Premier League. An average Mexican League game will draw almost 1 million in the US, with their biggest games attracting over 3 million viewers.
But what happens if Chicharito is again a Premier League proposition? And is scoring goals? You can just imagine people inside NBC hoping the Hammers, Everton or Southampton firm up their interest and move to keep Hernandez in England.
When given a chance, he didn't let anyone down last season. In a Real Madrid shirt, Chicharito proved he can mix it with the best. But by his own admission, having turned 27 this week, he needs regular football at this stage in his career.
Which is what the likes of Everton, West Ham and Southampton can offer.
At Everton, alongside Romelu Lukaku and ahead of Ross Barkley, Chicharito would be some prospect for manager Roberto Martinez. You fancy the Mexican would also respond to Martinez's man-management style.
Southampton will insist on Chicharito if United firm up their pursuit of Morgan Schneiderlin. Ronald Koeman, the Saints manager, is in the market for a new striker and rates Chicharito very highly. He's a fan of Mexican football and has also enquired about Jesus Corona at FC Twente.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has recognised they're still a goalscorer (if not two) short after a barren run in the second-half of the season. Just a year away from moving to the Olympic Stadium, if an offer is put to Chicharito's agent, Eduardo Hernandez, it will be difficult to resist - particularly if Sullivan lands the big-name manager he's been promising Hammers fans.
In terms of profile, Chicharito and Manchester United is a powerful mix - as is Chicharito and Real Madrid. But playing for Martinez at Everton or leading the line at West Ham shouldn't be dismissed. Games featuring Crystal Palace, Swansea City and even Cardiff City (a year ago) have drawn 1 million-plus viewers on NBC.
Things may've moved on at Old Trafford, but Chicharito is still that "goldmine" of three years ago. It's critical for the Premier League's growth in the US that he's kept in England.
