Why Mexico's Ulises Davila Is Name to Watch for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea

Ulises Davila's success and display of talent with Mexico U20 landed him a five-year contract with Chelsea in 2011, but can he make an impact in Jose Mourinho's side?

Davila started his career with Mexican club Guadalajara. He spent his first years in the youth system, playing for Tapatio, where he scored three times in 18 appearances.

Eventually he made his senior debut with Chivas. Although he didn't get much playing time—he appeared in 15 Liga MX games and in five Copa Libertadores matches between 2009 and 2011—Davila proved to be a bright footballer.

His performance with the youth side earned him a spot with the national team, which was about to participate in the 2011 CONCACAF U-20 Championship.

Once in the tournament, Davila started every match from the group and knockout stages. He helped Mexico secure the title by scoring four goals, becoming the best scorer of the team and the second best of the tournament, just two goals shy from Joel Campbell.

He continued his stellar pace in that year's Toulon Tournament by netting twice, against France and Hungary. However, the team finished fourth.

Eventually, El Tri reached the U-20 World Cup and Davila was an undisputed starter again. Although he didn't score in the group stage, he was instrumental in the round of 16 and third-place matches, as he scored penalty kicks in both.

Davila didn't appear with Guadalajara after the World Cup. His transfer to Chelsea was announced on August 27, one week after the tournament.

Unfortunately for the Mexican, the Blues decided to loan him to Vitesse for one season. Davila played twice with the senior squad and left the Dutch club as soon as the deal was over.

He arrived in Sabadell, a Spanish second division team, where Davila's luck finally changed. He appeared in 32 league matches and in two Copa del Rey meetings. He put the ball away five times and made six assists, proving he still had what it took to make a difference on the pitch.

For the 2013/14 season, he wore Cordoba's jersey. He continued his rampant pace with seven goals in 38 games, including the equalizer in the second leg of the Segunda Division playoff, which resulted in the club's promotion to La Liga after a 42-year hiatus.

He was nominated for Best American Footballer of the Liga Adelante 2013/14 season, which he lost to Brazilian Yuri de Souza.

Despite it all, Davila moved again, this time to Tenerife. But things didn't work the way he would have wanted, and six months later (which included 11 appearances and one goal), the club announced that they would part ways.

Rumour has it he is about to arrive in Portuguese club Vitoria, as per ESPN FC (in Spanish). Davila is expected to play for the remainder of the season, then time will tell.

In all fairness the Mexican deserves more than what he has gotten in his club career. He is powerful, strong and committed.

Davila has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder—this allows him to surprise the rivals' defensive lines and to create goal opportunities, and as a forward.

His dribbling skills are superb, he can finish, plays easily with both feet and has the vision and ability to pass the ball easily to his teammates.

He has matured a lot since he arrived in Europe and has proven that he can make a real impact on the pitch when given trust and playing time.

Chelsea have had a heavy schedule in the past couple of years. Between the Champions League, Premier league, FA Cup and Capital One Cup, the Blues need to give some rest to key players such as Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas.

Davila is certainly one of the most promising Mexican footballers abroad and can pick up some of those responsibilities.

He has the hunger and talent needed to shine.

All stats appear courtesy of FEMEXFUT, SoccerWay and ESPN FC, unless otherwise noted.