Lucas Hernandez: I played six games with a hole in my knee at Atletico

The France defender said he isn't feeling the pressure of a club-record fee after leaving La Liga for the Bundesliga in an €80m deal

Lucas Hernandez says the pressure of a club-record transfer fee at Bayern Munich isn’t on his mind as he enjoys his long-awaited return from injury.

“It wasn’t easy to leave while injured and without finishing the season,” he admitted. “But I really shot my knee in October and November to go as far as possible with Atletico.

“I played six matches with a hole in the ligament. That’s what the surgeon told me when they operated.”

Now, the challenge for Hernandez is to establish himself in Niko Kovac’s side and pay back the faith Bayern have shown in him.

“I never put myself under pressure, but I am aware of all the financial effort made by Bayern to bring me in,” he said.

“They’ve paid for a defender. Football today is full of these crazy sums, I know the reality. That’s why I worked like crazy and made every effort to get myself match-fit quickly.

“I don’t want to disappoint Bayern or the supporters. I’m on schedule, and I’m almost 100 per cent after two Bundesliga games.

“Bayern did everything to get me, and to make sure everything went well. Of course I will do everything for them.

“I started speaking German pretty quickly. I’m not a complicated person – I’m actually pretty nice! I integrated quickly. My French team-mates have been great.

“There is a strong French culture in Munich, with all the great players who have been here like Bixente Lizarazu, Willy Sagnol or Franck Ribery. He’s an idol here! Bayern is a big club but a small family.”