Ranking the 5 Best Liga MX Transfer Window Moves
After an exciting 2014 Apertura tournament, the Liga MX clubs have made adjustments to their rosters in hopes to secure the 2015 Clausura, or at least stay in the first division.
Some clubs are betting on youngsters to overturn their latest results, such as Guadalajara. Others spent big during the draft held in mid-December.
According to the Liga MX website (Spanish), the clubs made 52 transfers for a total amount of $27.5 million.
From all the moves we witnessed, there are five that certainly stood apart.
Let's take a look at them.
5. Dieter Villalpando (From Pachuca to UANL)
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Pachuca have let go of one of their best footballers, at least for six months: Dieter Villalpando
The transfer is the result of Tuzos' desire to allow some of their most promising youngsters to increase their value, according to the club's Sporting Director (h/t MedioTiempo.com, in Spanish).
Villalpando is a 23-year-old midfielder, who plays in the center of the pitch, usually behind the striker.
In the 2014 Apertura, he scored once in 17 appearances and had an average of 87 percent pass accuracy. From the 460 passes he attempted, he completed 406.
He is a footballer who can keep the ball and distribute it whenever his teammates have the chance to score. It's no wonder he created 16 goal opportunities, including three assists.
This player only needs confidence to mature and evolve. If he gets those assets from coach Ricardo Ferretti he will become one of the most talented midfielders in the Liga MX.
4. Isaac Brizuela (From Toluca to Guadalajara)
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Isaac Brizuela made quite an impression during 2014. His performance in the Clausura tournament earned him a spot in the Mexico national team.
In the first matchdays of the Apertura tournament, he couldn't make a real difference on the pitch. He eventually lost the starting position.
In Week 13, El Conejito finally played 90 minutes. He scored once and assisted Antonio Rios in Toluca's 0-2 victory over Atlas.
From that point on, he proved to be back in shape. Not only did he net the winner against Tijuana, he also improved his shot accuracy by 14 percentage points.
In his first 11 appearances he sent seven shots off target, for an accuracy of 42 percent.
In his last nine, Brizuela only missed four shots, which resulted in an average shot accuracy of 56 percent. He also created 13 goal opportunities.
Despite it all, Toluca decided to let him go when Guadalajara threw in $6.8 million, as Chivas owner Jorge Vergara revealed to ESPN (Spanish).
El Conejito should bring speed and depth through the right flank, from where David Toledo has failed to deliver results.
3. Cristian Pellerano (From Tijuana to America)
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America will have a new central midfielder in their roster, as they finalized Cristian Pellerano's transfer.
The former Tijuana footballer appeared 11 times in the 2014 Apertura tournament. His ball possession is superb, while his defensive skills allow him to help the back line when in distress.
The Argentine will be a great addition to America, especially since the club decided that Jesus Molina needed to leave (he will arrive in Santos Laguna).
In a comparison between Pellerano and Molina, it's clear that the Argentine had a better season, taking into consideration that he played less.
For starters, he completed 536 passes, 67 more than Molina. Pellerano also created double the goal opportunities than the former America midfielder, with a total of 19.
Defensively, he won more duels than Molina. His average success was 46.55 percent to Molina's 44.44 percent.
2. Darwin Quintero (From Santos Laguna to America)
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Darwin Quintero will meet again with Oribe Peralta after one season apart.
In the 2014 Apertura, the Colombian struggled to keep the good momentum he had before with Santos Laguna.
In terms of scoring, last season was his worst since he arrived in Mexico. Quintero only put the ball away twice in 17 appearances. He also created 52 goal opportunities, including seven assists.
Now, he will play for the team he made his debut against in the 2009 Clausura tournament.
Quintero will be a thriving force for Las Aguilas. He will replace Luis Angel Mendoza, who will play for Los Guerreros starting next year.
Although Mendoza put the ball away three times in 17 appearances, he only created 18 opportunities for his team, and barely won 36 percent of the duels in which he was involved.
1. Dario Benedetto (From Tijuana to America)
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Ever since Raul Jimenez left for Atletico Madrid, America had been looking for a partner for Oribe Peralta, and they have finally found it.
Dario Benedetto was one of the most successful scorers in the 2014 Apertura tournament. He put the ball away nine times in 17 appearances, the fifth best mark of the season and only three goals shy from the leaders (Mauro Boselli and Camilo Sanvezzo).
Benedetto was fundamental in helping Tijuana secure victories last season. He scored at least once in every game Xolos won or tied.
His speed and fine touch allowed him to create 17 opportunities, 76 percent of them through the center of the pitch.
