Mexico: Javier Hernandez and 10 Players That Can Take El Tri to the Next Level
"El Tri" has never seen a generation quite like this one.
Even in the times of Luís García, Hugo Sánchez and other promising talents, for the first time, Mexico has the raw talent to be the contender it has always wanted (and praised by the local media) to be.
Three years before Brazil's FIFA World Cup of 2014 starts, these 11 players represent the best bet to take Mexico's hopes to the heights they have always dreamed of.
Guillermo Ochoa (GK)
1 of 12
Age Today: 25 years old
World Cup Age: 28 years old
Club: América (Mexico—contract expires this summer)
There has never been doubt that Paco Memo has had all the natural tools to be Mexico's starting goalkeeper by default for 20 years.
But, he isn't.
Off the field, partying and inconsistent play have led to the media questioning him, ultimately costing him the job outright. He hasn't improved at all in about four years (some have said he has in fact regressed) and is still very poor when he isn't under the goal posts using his natural reflexes and skills.
But the talent is still there. A move to Europe this summer could be very beneficial to becoming the keeper he can be and not the one he is right now.
If he stays in Mexico, don't be surprised to see Paco Memo warming the bench.
Or out of the team.
Efraín Juarez (RB)
2 of 12
Age Today: 23 years old
World Cup Age: 26 years old
Club: Celtic (Scotland)
Juarez did not adapt well to his arrival on Scottish football land and ended up playing very little.
But when he is match fit, he fights for every ball with his heart out.
On the right or in midfield, Mexico will have a hard time finding a replacement of his calibre if he doesn't pan out.
Nestor Araujo (CB)
3 of 12
Age Today: 19 years old
World Cup Age: 22 years old
Club: Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Has a huge body and very rare size for a Mexican player. At 1.88 meters and over 80 kg, he subdues opponents through brute physical force.
He is still young and has to mature the mental and tactical aspects of the game, but he sure looks the part of the solid and rocky central defender every team would want.
Héctor Moreno (CB)
4 of 12
Age Today: 23 years old
World Cup Age: 26 years old
Club: AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
Constantly reminded by the press he is Rafael Marquez's heir in El Tri's defence, Moreno still has lots to prove to earn that comparison outright.
He is technically sound on the ball and helps his team play the ball from the back line. But when marking, he is a bit slow on the hips and gets dribbled frequently.
Seems a good fit to play alongside a big man like Araujo.
Jorge Torres Nilo (LB)
5 of 12
Age Today: 23 years old
World Cup Age: 26 years old
Club: Tigres UANL (Mexico)
Not very technical, he is still an attacking back thanks to his enthusiasm and stamina.
One of the weak points talent-wise, don't be surprised if iron man Carlos Salcido still holds this spot on the lineup come 2014.
Jonathan Dos Santos (MF)
6 of 12
Age Today: 21 years old
World Cup Age: 24 years old
Club: FC Barcelona B (Spain)
A playmaker bred in the style of la Masía, he (unfairly) hasn't been favored by national team coaches or the Mexican Press.
His days in Barcelona could come to an end soon because of the seemingly unending talent the Catalans have in midfield.
But simply put, in Mexico he should be top dog without a second look.
Andres Guardado (MF)
7 of 12
Age Today: 24 years old
World Cup Age: 27 years old
Club: Deportivo la Coruña (Spain)
Guardado is a top talent for the Mexican squad. However, he is very injury prone and has lost a step.
Still, he has great technique and passing ability, and it isn't hard imagining him playing a more central role three years from now.
If that doesn't work, a veteran like Rafael Márquez or Gerardo Torrado might hold his place in the starting 11.
Marco Fabian (AMF)
8 of 12
Age Today: 21 years old
World Cup Age: 24 years old
Club: Chivas (Mexico)
Owner of a fantastic long distance shot and an array of beautiful goals from distance, he will fight it out with Bermudez and Reyna for the play-making spot in midfield.
When in form, Fabian reminds us of a poor man's Wesley Sneijder, and can be a modern No. 10 in his own right.
Giovani Dos Santos (RW)
9 of 12
Age Today: 22 years old
World Cup Age: 25 years old
Club: Racing Santander (Spain) on loan from Tottenham
Once upon a time, a Silver Ball in the U-17 FIFA World Cup and considered Lionel Messi's heir in Barcelona, Giovani has diluted since his arrival at Tottenham.
He should be known for his pace, technique and dribbling skills on the field; however, his off the field partying and mischiefs are all we've heard from him in his time as a Spur.
Loaned out every other year, Mexico will be glad to hear he now appears to be back in form with Racing Santander in Spain and could be finally on his way out of White Hart Lane this summer.
Carlos Vela (LWNG)
10 of 12
Age Today: 22 years old
World Cup Age: 25 years old
Club: West Brom (England) on loan from Arsenal
A striker and a thriving goalscorer when he was a youth player, Vela has been unable to live there as a pro because of his less than average body strength.
He has become a dangerous winger in his own right, but like Giovani, he has seen limited playing time in Arsenal and could (and should) be loaned out again when the transfer window opens.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernández (CF)
11 of 12
Age Today: 22 years old
World Cup Age: 25 years old
Club: Manchester United (England)
Hero and new found idol of Manchester United and Mexico fans alike, Chicharito is the man that bears the hope of this generation of Mexican footballers upon his shoulders.
A hardworking and pacy striker that reminds many of Samuel Eto'o, he is an expert at finding open spaces and beating the offside trap. And at 1.74, he is a world class threat as a header.
If Mexico is to find growth in world football, it will be side by side with Chicharito's own.
The Best of the Rest: Substitutes and Veterans Who Might Make It
12 of 12
Subs:
Kristian Álvarez - 19 years old (22) - CB - Chivas
Diego Reyes - 19 years old (22) - CB/DMF - América
Adrián Aldrete - 22 years old (25) - LB/LMF - Morelia
Jesús Zavala - 23 years old (26) - MF - Monterrey
Patricio Araujo - 23 years old (26) - DMF/CB - Chivas
Christian "Hobbit" Bermúdez - 24 years old (27) - AMF - Atlante
Ángel Reyna - 26 years old (29) - RW/LW/AMF - América
Pablo Barrera - 23 years old (26) - RW/LW - West Ham
Elías Hernández - 23 years old (26) - RW/LW - Morelia
Erick "Cubo" Torres - 18 years old (21) - CF - Chivas
Veterans who just might make it:
Carlos Salcido - 31 years old (34) - CB/LB - Fulham
"Maza" Rodríguez - 29 years old (32) - CB - PSV
Rafael Márquez - 32 years old (35) - CB/DMF - NY Red Bulls
Gerardo Torrado - 30 years old (33) - DMF/MF - Cruz Azul
