6 Mexico Footballers Who Must Play vs. Netherlands in November Friendly
Mexico is set to face Netherlands on November 12 at the Amsterdam Arena. The last time they met El Tri suffered one of their most painful defeats. Can a new set of players take revenge?
Miguel Herrera started the 2018 World Cup process last month when his team faced Chile and Bolivia. Last week the squad went head-to-head with Honduras and Panama.
Although El Tri won three games and tied one, their performance was far from impressive. There were obvious mistakes in the back line, and the forwards had a hard time putting the ball away.
Playing overseas will allow Herrera to cap some footballers who hadn't had activity with the team or who had been relegated for a while.
Let's take a look at six who should appear in the upcoming friendly.
Jonathan Dos Santos
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Jonathan dos Santos received his first cap for Mexico's senior team in 2009; he has played six matches ever since.
Dos Santos hardly ever played with Barcelona from 2009 to 2014. He joined Villarreal in a five-year deal, according to the club's website.
The 24-year-old is a very technical midfielder. Jona fits in Herrera's 3-5-2 system, especially as a central midfielder.
His fine touch has allowed him to complete 85 percent of the passes he has sent, as reported by Squawka. Two of them have resulted in goal opportunities for the Yellow Submarine.
Herrera has tried Antonio Rios and Javier Guemez as alternatives for Jose Juan Vazquez. Although Rios had a good performance against Honduras and Panama, he lacks creativity, while Guemez needs more experience.
The upcoming friendly is a great opportunity for the Villarreal midfielder to prove he belongs.
Jesus Manuel Corona
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Jesus Manuel Corona made quite an impression while playing for Mexico U20 squad in the 2012 Milk Cup.
A year later he was an undisputed starter in the CONCACAF Championship. He scored three times in four appearances, helping Mexico secure the title.
His endurance and dribbling skills took him to the U20 World Cup, where he put the ball away once.
Corona left Mexico that same year. He arrived in Twente's reserve team (young FC Twente) and occasionally played with the senior squad.
It wasn't until the 2014-15 season when he was promoted to the first division that he became a thriving force for the Eredivisie side.
He has appeared four times and has already scored once. He has also recorded six goal opportunities, including two assists, per Squawka.
Diego Reyes
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Diego Reyes hasn't had much luck while playing abroad. Ever since he left for Porto, the centre-back has been trying to get playing time with the first team, but he hasn't accomplished the feat.
Reyes proved that he was a reliable defender while playing for America. It was then he earned Herrera's trust.
Eventually the Mexico coach capped him for the World Cup, where he played in the round of 16 after Hector Moreno suffered a fractured tibia.
If Herrera calls him for the Netherlands friendly, Reyes needs to step up. With Moreno, Rafael Marquez and Francisco Rodriguez out of the picture, Herrera needs to set up a strong backbone. Reyes may be young, but he has experience playing in the Hexagonal and Confederations Cup.
El Tri struggled against Chile, Bolivia, Honduras and Panama in that line. The Porto centre-back has a strong aerial game and knows how to close gaps.
Carlos Vela
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Last chance for Carlos Vela to make El Tri.
Hector Gonzalez Inarritu, director of national teams, said in an interview with ESPN Deportes (Spanish) that the Real Sociedad footballer could be capped for the upcoming friendlies.
So far Vela hasn't had a good start in La Liga. His average-shot accuracy equals 40 percent, while he has only scored once in seven appearances, per Squawka.
However, Mexico haven't had the finishing touch. The team has been dynamic and vertical, but they struggle when it's time to put the ball away, something Vela usually does easily.
This is a new process, which also means new administration and staff; if the forward wants to make a comeback, it may never be a better chance.
Eduardo Herrera
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Eduardo Herrera is the best Mexican forward in the Liga MX. The 26-year-old has scored five goals in 12 matchdays.
Herrera has slowly matured and turned into a complete footballer. He can surprise the defenders with runs through the flanks and into the penalty box. But he is also strong enough to steal the ball from the rivals.
He has created seven goal opportunities, including one assist, as per Squawka. He has contributed in the back line with 11 clearances and two blocks.
He is a late bloomer but has managed to establish himself as a thriving force for UNAM, which currently sit 10th in the Apertura 2014 general table.
If Herrera keeps up the momentum, he could land a spot in El Tri and finally prove he can be the finisher the squad needs.
Giovani Dos Santos
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Giovani dos Santos should get back on the team after an injury that sidelined him for three weeks, as reported by ESPN FC. The Mexican star went back to the pitch in Matchday 6 in the 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Dos Santos is one of the most creative and unbalancing players El Tri have had. His fine touch and dribbling skills set him as a lethal weapon for Mexico.
Despite his youth (25 years old), Dos Santos' experience and flexibility are essential in Herrera's formation, as he can play next or behind another forward or as a winger.
This is something the coach needs to make a clean break with when El Tri are predictable, as it has happened in the past.
All stats appear courtesy of ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.
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