Javier Hernandez and the 5 Mexicans Who Should Move in January Transfer Window
The January transfer window could very well be the perfect opportunity for Javier Hernandez and other Mexican footballers to change sides in hopes to secure more playing time.
The European dream is tough to reach. Only a handful of Mexicans have managed to succeed overseas—take for instance Hugo Sanchez and Rafael Marquez.
Others are working hard toward making a good impression and are getting there little by little, such as Hector Herrera and Carlos Vela.
But the situation is far more complicated for players like Chicharito or Guillermo Ochoa, who despite delivering good performances with the national team or with their club, are still benchwarmers.
Let's take a look at five Mexicans who should move in the transfer window.
Diego Reyes
1 of 5
Diego Reyes' performance in the 2012 Summer Olympics earned him a starting position with America.
The centre-back helped his team secure the 2013 Clausura championship, after appearing 17 times (1,414 minutes) and scoring once, according to Mexican website MedioTiempo.com (Spanish).
He quickly caught Porto's attention and eventually signed a five-year contract.
But the ride hasn't been that much fun for Reyes, as he has had to split his time between the senior squad and the B-team.
Although Miguel Herrera keeps calling the defender for the national team, it is clear that the lack of play is hurting him.
With the Copa America and Gold Cup around the corner, Reyes needs to start thinking about moving, unless he is willing to spend more time on the bench and probably miss out from El Tri's top competitions in 2015.
Javier Hernandez
2 of 5
If playing in Europe is already tough, imagine having to compete for a place in Real Madrid's offense.
Javier Hernandez's golden days with Manchester United were well behind when he arrived in Spain. Chicharito is sitting more games than what he is playing.
Hernandez has appeared seven times in La Liga's 2014/15 season (he has only completed one game) and has scored three times.
Chicharito has also played in four Champions League matches, and although he has yet to score in that competition, he has completed 79 percent of his passes and has created one goal opportunity from the left flank.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that Hernandez won't leave in January and the Mexican knows what his role is on the team, per Marca.
It is true that the few playing minutes Chicharito has received have been a confidence booster. We can see that with the Mexico national team. Hernandez has scored for El Tri twice since he was loaned to Los Blancos.
Imagine what the striker could do if he was playing on a regular basis. Hernandez may be wearing the jersey of one of the best clubs in the world, but he needs to think of his future.
Raul Jimenez
3 of 5
Raul Jimenez left Mexico as one of the most promising footballers in the country.
He spent six complete seasons with America, becoming an undisputed starter in Miguel Herrera and Antonio Mohamed's line-up.
From his debut in 2011 until he left Las Aguilas, Jimenez put the ball away 36 times, 30 of them from January 2013 to August 2014, as per MedioTiempo.com (Spanish).
Coach Diego Simeone saw Jimenez's talent up close when Atletico Madrid played against America in the 2014 Copa EuroAmericana and signed him quickly.
After four months, the Mexican has appeared nine times with Los Colchoneros. He has only scored once and has won 35 percent of his duels.
He has started three games (but hasn't completed a single one) and has been a sub in the other six.
Fernando Torres' return to Atleti is a tough blow for Jimenez, as his chances of playing will surely be cut off.
Guillermo Ochoa
4 of 5
If there was ever a doubt about Guillermo Ochoa's capacity to guard Mexico's goal, the 2014 World Cup clarified what the keeper is made of.
A free agent by that time, Ochoa's performance caught everyone's attention. Despite being linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, according to the Guardian, the Mexican signed with Spanish club Malaga.
Ochoa has yet to appear in La Liga, although he has played two Copa del Rey matches, both against Deportivo La Coruna.
Despite his lack of playing time, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera still trusts him. Ochoa continues to be El Tri's starting goalkeeper.
After the World Cup, he has appeared in international friendlies versus the Netherlands, Honduras and Chile.
But fear not, because the Express' Ben Jefferson reports the Mexican has signed with Liverpool for the second half of the season.
Javier Aquino
5 of 5
Once upon a time, Javier Aquino amazed his country with his dribbling skills and speed. That was in 2012, though.
The Mexican spent his first season in Spain with Villarreal. After 32 appearances, he put the ball away once and created 32 goal opportunities.
But his lack of possession and fine touch, he only had 47 percent shot accuracy (eight shots on target), were enough to loan him to Rayo Vallecano for one season.
Now, the Mexican midfielder has to prove a lot if he wants to stay in Europe.
In the 2014/15 season, he has stayed on the bench five times and has been subbed off in four games. He has only created 14 goal opportunities and his shot accuracy equals 29 percent.
All of the above has hurt his chances of playing for Mexico. The last time he wore La Verde was in September in a friendly against Bolivia.
All stats appear courtesy of Squawka, unless otherwise noted.
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