The Big Verde Weekly Update: Rankings, Jimenez, and terrible Greek translations.
(They’re already letting him play?! He’s been there, for what, 8 hours?!)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (I’m pretty sure I’ve used that statement multiple times and let’s be honest, it’s a weird one. Who actually lives under a rock, other than Patrick Star? Then again, Patrick Star lived under a rock but still had access to a tv and a couch), you may not have known that Raul Jimenez has made his way over to Atletico Madrid.
Which is massive.
Most Mexican players gradually make their way up to the big teams, but some (see: Chicharito) are lucky enough to jump straight into the best teams in Europe.
Raul Jimenez has already started in a friendly for Atletico Madrid and has impressed head coach Diego Simeone. He may even have time today against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Copa!
The 23 year-old is capable of thriving in this big stage and I believe I speak for all of us El Tri fans when I say that I’m very very very excited to see him playing in La Liga this season.
As for the rest of the players, I decided to do something a bit different this week. Since most seasons are about to start or have started, wouldn’t it be fun to rank the Mexicans in Europe?
Did you just say “no?” Well, you might be right. These will be entirely subjective and may even be less relevant than the monthly FIFA rankings.
Either way, let’s just have fun with this. If you disagree or agree, feel free to bother me here about it. I would genuinely love your feedback.
Cesar’s Europeo Rankings for the 2014-2015 Season
1. Giovani dos Santos - Villarreal
Congrats Gio, I’ve decided that you will be the standout Mexican player in Europe this season. Expect a congratulatory ham and medal in 6-8 weeks.
The 25 year-old attacker has always had the potential for being a great player but has let off-the-field behavior and constant team changes get in his way. Now, with a decent showing at the World Cup behind him, Gio will be playing his second season with Villarreal. This is the first time that he has played with a team for more than one season since his time back in Tottenham.
Gio has been playing great futbol recently I can only assume that he will get better.
2. Guillermo Ochoa - Malaga
Ochoa didn’t sign for a huge club this summer but he was still able to make a small step forward by moving into La Liga.
The goalkeeper was brilliant during the World Cup and will have a huge opportunity to prove his worth this season. In France, he went up against Ibrahimovic. In Spain, he will have Ronaldo, Messi, Bale, Neymar, and countless others to stop. Let’s hope he does actually stop their shots.
He may have had a small slip-up in his first game with Malaga, but I predict a stand-out season for the goalkeeper.
3. Carlos Vela - Real Sociedad
Vela really should be at #1 on this list. Yet, his recent injury has had the attacker out of practice for quite some time now and I can’t see him getting right back into form.
The Cancun native will have even less help in the attack now that Antoine Griezmann has moved to Atletico Madrid. This means that there will be more pressure for Vela to carry the team and provide goals.
I imagine Vela will still do very well this season, but I don’t think it will exceed the performance he had during the last year.
4. Raul Jimenez - Atletico Madrid
He just seems destined to do well, doesn’t he? He’s only 23 but will be competing with Mario Mandzukic for a spot in the attack. Just saying that is already remarkable.
Jimenez has the makings of a world-class player and will find enough minutes this season to help him succeed. He may not be a constant starter for Atletico, but they will be involved in enough competitions to give the young striker plenty of time.
5. Hector Herrera - Porto
Herrera seems to be gaining confidence with each game. He has already established himself as key player for Porto and will only continue to grow in his abilities.
The midfielder has become an eye-catching player and I wouldn’t be shocked if he were to make a move to a bigger team next summer.
6. Andres Guardado – Valencia
It’s time for the little prince’s second wind.
Guardado was able to surprise everybody during the World Cup, and if the preseason is any sign, he will continue that form during this upcoming season. The midfielder has stated that Piojo has helped him find some new motivation and I believe that this year with Valencia may prove to be his best.
7. Chicharito – Manchester United/Wherever
It’s hard being Chicharito when everybody constantly compares him to his first season he had at United. If he does stay with the club, he will continue to be an efficient striker, but only given limited time.
If he moves to a new club, it’s hard to say how he will do. A move seems beneficial to him at this point in his career, but with each passing day, it seems as if Hernandez might just be settled as a late impact player for United once again.
8. Javier Aquino – Rayo Vallecano
Aquino will quietly prosper with Rayo Vallecano. The winger knocked in a goal in his first game with the team and I predict that he will be a vital figure in their offense.
He wont make headlines like Ochoa or Vela, but given a season or two, he might be able to.
Placing Reyes this far down the list was a bit tricky. He slowly garnered playing time at the end of last season but spent a majority of that same season with Porto B. With the national team, he hasn’t been able to step up the way we have all wanted and was understandably replaced by Maza Rodriguez in defense.
That being said, the ex-America player has an immense amount of talent but will need another season or two to begin to make a name for himself in the futbol world.
10. Rafael Marquez – Hellas Verona
Rafa will probably get a few cards, he might even get in a fight or two, but he will have a decent season in Serie A.
El Kaiser proved this summer that he is still capable of making some beautiful plays and will likely do the same in Italy for Hellas Verona. Also, as mentioned before, I would love to see him start right next to his teammate Rafael Marques. A Rafael Marquez & Rafael Marques partnership would be amazing.
11. Jonathan dos Santos – Villarreal
Jona has the “Barcelona” stamp on him, and I believe that makes us overvalue him a bit too much. Or perhaps, I guess I should say that I think we expect too much of him.
The midfielder has literally averaged only a few games every year and it will be interesting to see how he will transition over to Villarreal. Jona hasn’t exceeded expectations over the summer and I imagine it may take a few months for him to hit his stride.
12. Jesus “Tecatito” Corona – Twente
Sure, he scored twice on Monday, but it was for the reserve squad. Tecatito was out of shape when he returned from the summer and had a recent injury at the start of the season. There were also rumors of the player having a bit of an “attitude” problem with the coaching staff.
Corona will probably score a couple of goals this season but I can’t see him breaking the first team in Twente.
Davila became a club hero after scoring the goal that promoted them to La Liga over the summer. That being said, Chelsea have not been able to find common ground with the Spanish-side and the striker has yet to be assigned to a team.
I hope he is sent back to Cordoba, but it’s hard to predict his future at this point.
14. Gabriel Piccolo – Partick Thistle
Piccolo was a back-up option in defense for Thistle and failed to make an impact when he was given chances. The defender has been left out of the starting lineup for two games in a row now for the Scottish Premiership squad. His contract ends at the end of the season and I assume the squad will presumably sell the player.
15. Nery Castillo – Kalloni FC
Here you fall Nery. You’re ranked behind the defender who can’t even get time in a weak Scottish team. You’re ranked behind a player who doesn’t even have a team yet. You’re ranked behind a young player who showed up a bit too heavy to training for his Dutch team.
And for that, I like you. You’re going to have a terrible season but there is something admirable about the fact that you would even go back. It’s going to be a failure and we all know it. You’re just as likely to score as I am likely to understand a single word from Kalloni’s twitter page.
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Alright, those are my rankings. What are your thoughts? What do you agree with? What do you not agree with?
Sidenote, I decided to leave out any players who weren’t playing in the top league of their respective country.
Also, I left out Hector Moreno due to his extended injury.
