European transfer window roundup
ESPN INSIDER
By Jorge Arangure Jr.
The summer European transfer window is always an anticipated time in the football world, but perhaps never more so for Mexico fans. With the rise of Mexico's many national teams, the expectations are that such success will lead to more players competing in the best leagues in the world.
There were players in Mexico who were expected to move to Europe (Hector Herrera, Javier Aquino, Marco Fabian) but who will have to wait at least another few months until the January transfer window. There were players already in Europe who moved to other teams in Europe. And there were players who stayed put.
For now, let's review what happened to the prominent Mexican players based in Europe last season:
Who moved
Giovani dos Santos: From Tottenham to Mallorca
After what seemed like an endless quest to leave Spurs, Dos Santos finally got his move out of the London club and headed to La Liga, his preferred destination. On the surface, a move to a small club such as Mallorca might seem disastrous for a player once thought to be Mexico's best young prospect. But Dos Santos will be given a chance to play regularly that might not have come if he had joined a bigger club. Additionally, Dos Santos will be playing for a manager, Joaquin Caparros, who has a history of tutoring young and talented players. Although Mallorca has recently played a more defensive style of football (it finished 14th last season in goals scored), Dos Santos' arrival should mean a more attractive playing style. If Dos Santos does realize his potential in Mallorca, a move to a bigger club will come.
Andres Guardado: From Deportivo La Coruna to Valencia
<offer style="font: 12px/16px verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">After helping Deportivo earn promotion to the Spanish first division, Guardado joined Valencia this summer, a move that should prove incredibly beneficial for the left attacking midfielder. Not only will Guardado play in the difficult La Liga but he also will participate in the Champions League as Valencia finished third last season. So far, so good for Guardado, who has started all three of Valencia's league matches and has played a total of 244 minutes. Guardado has an overall 83 percent pass completion, although he will need to improve on his 61 percent pass completion in the attacking third.</offer>
Pablo Barrera: From West Ham to Cruz Azul
A return to the Mexican league appeared to be exactly what Barrera needed after a failed two-year stint in Europe. But on Monday, Cruz Azul announced that Barrera will miss the next six months with a torn ligament in his right knee. Before the injury, there were signs that Barrera was breaking out of his long slump. In Barrera's last five games with Cruz Azul, he had created seven scoring chances, although his pass completion percentage was a team-worst 51.4 in that stretch. Barrera has never been the most accurate passer, and a long time on the mend surely won't help him regain (or gain) his passing touch. His spot on the national team surely will be in jeopardy as talented players such as Cruz Azul teammate Javier Aquino will be fighting to lay claim to the starting attacking right midfielder job Barrera leaves behind.
Efrain Juarez: From Celtic to Club America
Much like Barrera, Juarez was hoping that a return to Mexico would rekindle a career that had badly stalled in Europe. But Juarez's return lasted just three games, a total of just 134 minutes, as the right back suffered a horrific broken arm that likely will keep him out for the remainder of the season. In those three games, Juarez completed 77 percent of his passes and had just 38 percent of touches in the attacking half, meaning he still was not playing at a level high enough to merit national team consideration once again.
Ulises Davila: On loan from Chelsea to Sabadell
Last year, Davila languished on the bench while on loan to Dutch side Vitesse. This season, Davila has already started three games for Sabadell of the Spanish second division. Realistically, Davila doesn't have a bright future at Chelsea. The Blues have signed several world-class players at Davila's position, and it's highly unlikely that Davila will displace any of them. More likely, Davila is now playing for a transfer move to another European team. A solid season in the Spanish second division might land him with a La Liga club next summer.
Carlos Vela: From Arsenal to Real Sociedad
After reviving his career last year while on loan to Real Sociedad, Vela permanently joined the club this summer. So far this year, Vela has played in all three league matches and has created three scoring chances, tied for second on the team. He has yet to score a goal and has just one shot.
Who didn't move
Jonathan dos Santos, Barcelona
After being offered a loan move to Sevilla, Jonathan Dos Santos decided to remain at Barcelona to fight for first-team minutes. The move seems dubious because the Barcelona midfield is crowded and talented. In refusing the loan move, Dos Santos cited his brother's failed stint at Tottenham. Although it's true Gio's career stalled badly after leaving Barcelona, it seems unlikely that Jonathan's career will take off while sitting on the bench this season.
Edson Rivera, Braga
After spending most of his time on the bench last year, Rivera was moved down to Braga's B team. A loan move to a smaller club might have afforded him more playing time, but perhaps team officials believe the forward can contribute later this year.
Hector Moreno, Espanyol
Thought to be sought after by several big-name clubs, Mexico's center back anchor remained at Espanyol, where he will continue to lead the Barcelona club's back line. At some point, it appears likely that Moreno will move on to a bigger club.
Javier Rodriguez, Stuttgart
The veteran center back was never rumored to be headed elsewhere, and instead he remains a starter for Stuttgart. So far, Rodriguez has played all 185 minutes for his club and has six clearances and seven interceptions.
Javier Hernandez, Manchester United
Robin Van Persie's shocking move to Manchester United seemed as if it would push Chicharito completely out of playing time, and a move away from the club seemed like the best option. And it likely would have been had Wayne Rooney not suffered a horrific thigh cut against Fulham that likely will keep him out two months. Even then, Chicharito's playing time appeared limited as Danny Welbeck took Rooney's spot this weekend against Southampton. But Hernandez outperformed Welbeck in his 23 minutes on the pitch and might steal the starting spot opposite Van Persie. In 73 minutes, Welbeck had just 13 touches in the attacking third with no shots. In his 23 minutes, Hernandez had seven touches in the attacking third and two shots. Hernandez's play earned praise from manager Alex Ferguson.
It might turn out to be that Hernandez is best served by staying with United, as the team will have league games, cup games and Champions League games this season.
Guillermo Ochoa, Ajaccio
Most thought Ochoa would move on to a bigger club in Ligue 1 after a solid season with defensively challenged Ajaccio. But the club decided to hold on to Ochoa, who is one of the squad's most popular player with fans. Staying with Ajaccio shouldn't negatively affect Ochoa, who will still fight for the top national keeper spot with Cruz Azul's Jesus Corona.
ESPN INSIDER
By Jorge Arangure Jr.
The summer European transfer window is always an anticipated time in the football world, but perhaps never more so for Mexico fans. With the rise of Mexico's many national teams, the expectations are that such success will lead to more players competing in the best leagues in the world.
There were players in Mexico who were expected to move to Europe (Hector Herrera, Javier Aquino, Marco Fabian) but who will have to wait at least another few months until the January transfer window. There were players already in Europe who moved to other teams in Europe. And there were players who stayed put.
For now, let's review what happened to the prominent Mexican players based in Europe last season:
Who moved
Giovani dos Santos: From Tottenham to Mallorca
After what seemed like an endless quest to leave Spurs, Dos Santos finally got his move out of the London club and headed to La Liga, his preferred destination. On the surface, a move to a small club such as Mallorca might seem disastrous for a player once thought to be Mexico's best young prospect. But Dos Santos will be given a chance to play regularly that might not have come if he had joined a bigger club. Additionally, Dos Santos will be playing for a manager, Joaquin Caparros, who has a history of tutoring young and talented players. Although Mallorca has recently played a more defensive style of football (it finished 14th last season in goals scored), Dos Santos' arrival should mean a more attractive playing style. If Dos Santos does realize his potential in Mallorca, a move to a bigger club will come.
Andres Guardado: From Deportivo La Coruna to Valencia
<offer style="font: 12px/16px verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">After helping Deportivo earn promotion to the Spanish first division, Guardado joined Valencia this summer, a move that should prove incredibly beneficial for the left attacking midfielder. Not only will Guardado play in the difficult La Liga but he also will participate in the Champions League as Valencia finished third last season. So far, so good for Guardado, who has started all three of Valencia's league matches and has played a total of 244 minutes. Guardado has an overall 83 percent pass completion, although he will need to improve on his 61 percent pass completion in the attacking third.</offer>
Pablo Barrera: From West Ham to Cruz Azul
A return to the Mexican league appeared to be exactly what Barrera needed after a failed two-year stint in Europe. But on Monday, Cruz Azul announced that Barrera will miss the next six months with a torn ligament in his right knee. Before the injury, there were signs that Barrera was breaking out of his long slump. In Barrera's last five games with Cruz Azul, he had created seven scoring chances, although his pass completion percentage was a team-worst 51.4 in that stretch. Barrera has never been the most accurate passer, and a long time on the mend surely won't help him regain (or gain) his passing touch. His spot on the national team surely will be in jeopardy as talented players such as Cruz Azul teammate Javier Aquino will be fighting to lay claim to the starting attacking right midfielder job Barrera leaves behind.
Efrain Juarez: From Celtic to Club America
Much like Barrera, Juarez was hoping that a return to Mexico would rekindle a career that had badly stalled in Europe. But Juarez's return lasted just three games, a total of just 134 minutes, as the right back suffered a horrific broken arm that likely will keep him out for the remainder of the season. In those three games, Juarez completed 77 percent of his passes and had just 38 percent of touches in the attacking half, meaning he still was not playing at a level high enough to merit national team consideration once again.
Ulises Davila: On loan from Chelsea to Sabadell
Last year, Davila languished on the bench while on loan to Dutch side Vitesse. This season, Davila has already started three games for Sabadell of the Spanish second division. Realistically, Davila doesn't have a bright future at Chelsea. The Blues have signed several world-class players at Davila's position, and it's highly unlikely that Davila will displace any of them. More likely, Davila is now playing for a transfer move to another European team. A solid season in the Spanish second division might land him with a La Liga club next summer.
Carlos Vela: From Arsenal to Real Sociedad
After reviving his career last year while on loan to Real Sociedad, Vela permanently joined the club this summer. So far this year, Vela has played in all three league matches and has created three scoring chances, tied for second on the team. He has yet to score a goal and has just one shot.
Who didn't move
Jonathan dos Santos, Barcelona
After being offered a loan move to Sevilla, Jonathan Dos Santos decided to remain at Barcelona to fight for first-team minutes. The move seems dubious because the Barcelona midfield is crowded and talented. In refusing the loan move, Dos Santos cited his brother's failed stint at Tottenham. Although it's true Gio's career stalled badly after leaving Barcelona, it seems unlikely that Jonathan's career will take off while sitting on the bench this season.
Edson Rivera, Braga
After spending most of his time on the bench last year, Rivera was moved down to Braga's B team. A loan move to a smaller club might have afforded him more playing time, but perhaps team officials believe the forward can contribute later this year.
Hector Moreno, Espanyol
Thought to be sought after by several big-name clubs, Mexico's center back anchor remained at Espanyol, where he will continue to lead the Barcelona club's back line. At some point, it appears likely that Moreno will move on to a bigger club.
Javier Rodriguez, Stuttgart
The veteran center back was never rumored to be headed elsewhere, and instead he remains a starter for Stuttgart. So far, Rodriguez has played all 185 minutes for his club and has six clearances and seven interceptions.
Javier Hernandez, Manchester United
Robin Van Persie's shocking move to Manchester United seemed as if it would push Chicharito completely out of playing time, and a move away from the club seemed like the best option. And it likely would have been had Wayne Rooney not suffered a horrific thigh cut against Fulham that likely will keep him out two months. Even then, Chicharito's playing time appeared limited as Danny Welbeck took Rooney's spot this weekend against Southampton. But Hernandez outperformed Welbeck in his 23 minutes on the pitch and might steal the starting spot opposite Van Persie. In 73 minutes, Welbeck had just 13 touches in the attacking third with no shots. In his 23 minutes, Hernandez had seven touches in the attacking third and two shots. Hernandez's play earned praise from manager Alex Ferguson.
It might turn out to be that Hernandez is best served by staying with United, as the team will have league games, cup games and Champions League games this season.
Guillermo Ochoa, Ajaccio
Most thought Ochoa would move on to a bigger club in Ligue 1 after a solid season with defensively challenged Ajaccio. But the club decided to hold on to Ochoa, who is one of the squad's most popular player with fans. Staying with Ajaccio shouldn't negatively affect Ochoa, who will still fight for the top national keeper spot with Cruz Azul's Jesus Corona.
