#AskCesar is back!
If you want to take part in next week’s article, just keep an eye on my Twitter account every Thursday when I ask you to send me your questions. I select three for a video preview and then answer the rest right here.
Let’s see what he have this week!
Who will be the next Xolos player called to #ElTriEng? #AskCesar
— Eugene Rupinski (@GolazodelGringo) August 25, 2017
It might take a bit of time but I think Gibran Lajud will be that player. Excellent reflexes and diving, but he needs to work on avoiding the occasional mistake. He’s only 23 though, so those improvements will hopefully start to become more apparent in the near future.
Forget player/manager. Torrado for player/sporting director. Osorio has his DM for Russia! How smart am I?
— Jason Marquitz (@soccermexicana) August 25, 2017
*Cesar laughs at Jason’s clever joke and then slowly begins to realize that Torrado is actually younger than Rafa*
Any idea why Layun and Salcedo were left off?
— Juan Herrera (@JuanKnowsSports) August 24, 2017
Salcedo is still recovering from an injury and it looks like Layun had a mutual agreement to be left off the roster. This probably means that he is either trying to fight for a starting spot with Porto, or he is trying to push for a transfer in the near future.
Why do you think Paul Aguilar is excluded again?
— Daniel (@Agu11ar) August 25, 2017
No true fullbacks in his roster. I don’t get it and I was really hoping to see Aguilar taking charge with the national team again. Aguilar is going to need to start playing incredibly in order to gain Osorio’s attention.
Am I wrong to want to start Jimenez every game. His height and skill takes me back to the Borgetti days. This guy is taller and better touch
— Mario (@frijobeans) August 25, 2017
I like Jimenez and think he is a fantastic player, but at the moment, we have to keep Chicharito as the starting striker. He is doing well with West Ham and has had a great start to the season. As much as I would like Jimenez to push for a starting role with El Tri, he is currently struggling to earn regular minutes for Benfica.
Is Marco Fabian hurt? #askcesar
— Luis Martinez (@Lu_is_Martinez) August 25, 2017
Yeah, unfortunately. Out for at least a few months after a recent surgery for his back. It doesn’t look like he might return to the field until late 2017 or early 2018.
Obvious question but I'll #AskCesar, who was snubbed? Who shouldn't be here?
— Aaron Serrano (@aaronkserrano) August 25, 2017
Snubbed: Paul Aguilar and at least two other full backs.
Shouldn’t be here: I’m still not convinced by Hugo Ayala. I’m also not entirely sure about Elias Hernandez, especially after the way he finished the Gold Cup.
Gio is injured and hasn't even played for LA Galaxy… why is he being called up???
— Charlie Arevalo (@charliearevalo) August 25, 2017
It seems like he might be fit by the time the games roll around. If I remember correctly, somebody from the Galaxy mentioned that he might be healthy enough to play in the team’s next match. My (hopeful) guess here is that JCO sees Gio as a potential option off the bench, not a starter.
What is that?!
— Joshua Ling (@JoshLing10) August 25, 2017
What is what? #AskCesar? I don’t know. It started off as something fun on Twitter and then it slowly developed into a weekly article for FMN. Sometimes it feels like work and I question why I do it, but then I feel oddly happy after every single article. I’m still not sure what this all is.
Alanis and L. Reyes from Confederaciones? Injuries or not playing well?
— IMendoza (@IselaMR42) August 24, 2017
Reyes is healthy now but had some slight muscle problems during the start of the season. I don’t think he is at 100% just yet and isn’t a key player needed for Mexico. As for Alanis, the guy has been struggling and was recently benched by Chivas. Nothing injury-related for him.
Why is Gio on this roster?
— Arturo Díaz Macías (@CmdrDiaz) August 24, 2017
I’m not sure if I would have called him up because of his recent injury problems, but if he is supposed to be healthy by this weekend then I still think he is a decent backup option. Although his form hasn’t been the best since his move to MLS, Gio remains as an interesting substitute player to consider for Mexico.
An out of form Gio included, but an in form Oribe excluded. Thoughts?
— Ivan H. III (@i_h_3) August 24, 2017
It looks like Oribe is injured. From what I saw, he was originally on the roster until JCO found out that he is out for around 10 days. Appears as though Elias Hernandez took his spot after the injury news.
With so many El Tri games, do you still get excited to watch them?
— Mariano Villa (@marianovillajr) August 24, 2017
I’ll be honest, I hit a weird point with my Mexico support over the summer. No team provides me with more highs and lows than El Tri, but I almost lost interest during one of the friendlies before the Gold Cup. I think it was the Mexico vs Paraguay match.
I of course took notes and watched the entire thing because of work, but it was just an overwhelming amount of Mexico games and coverage with the Confederations Cup happening as well. I’m definitely looking forward to the next matches though. I probably just needed a break after that week in the summer when we had the overlapping Confed Cup games and friendlies.
Habra forma de que tecatito y Chucky juegen al mismo tiempo
— Alberto (@ARob4040) August 24, 2017
Hopefully. Lozano is killing it with PSV and deserves at least one start and Tecatito is getting regular minutes with Porto. It would be so much fun seeing those two take charge with their speed and dribbling.
Decided to follow #LigaMXeng this year and chose Xolos as my team. Why did I make a good choice?
— Steve Hornbeck (@shorn71) August 25, 2017
The club identity is incredible, they’re the “team without borders.” Around 30% of the fans who go to the games are from the United States. They aren’t getting much playing time recently, but the team also has a history of utilizing U.S.-born players. They are also only one of two Liga MX clubs that share English-language content online.
As for how they actually play, we will have to wait and see if manager “Chacho” Coudet can continue to fix his problems from earlier in the season. However, there is plenty of potential with the current roster and coach.
If you were liga mx president with absolute authority (with no influence) what changes would you make to the league to make it better?
— Maestro Barragan (@Boywhogoeswest) August 25, 2017
#1 Get rid of the Liga MX “draft.” #2 Goodbye pacto de caballeros (somehow?). #3 Add in one more spot for promotion and relegation. #4 End the short tournaments and extend it to a longer 34-match season, but keep the playoffs. #5 Immediately incorporate more English-language content online. #6 Oh god there is so much that needs to be fixed
los mejores talentos jóvenes que deberían calar su talento en Europa?ElTri debería empezar eliminar jugadores de MLS y meter jóvenes nuevos?
— Profe Villafan (@profe_villafan) August 25, 2017
Young players that should go to Europe: Cesar Montes, Orbelin Pineda, Erick Gutierrez, Rodolfo Pizarro.
The problem with bringing in some of those new players is that most were awful during the Gold Cup against easy opponents. At the moment, I would still rather have those MLS players like Gio and Jona. Same thing for Vela once 2018 rolls around.
Prediction: which player currently on Tigres' roster do you think makes the move/returns to Europe next? #AskCesar
— JF (@MisterJFlores) August 25, 2017
I want to say Jurgen Damm but I do genuinely wonder if he is actually going to leave at some point in the near future. He isn’t a young kid anymore, he’s about to turn 25 in just a few months. If not Damm, I say either Javier Aquino or Enner Valencia make their way back.
Why was Gio called up??
— Avocado Bravado (@SolutionOrganic) August 25, 2017
Assuming he is healthy for the qualifiers, he is a decent backup option for El Tri. I don’t think he is ready for a starting role again, but I wouldn’t be bothered to see him as a late impact player.
Cubo Torres has 14 goals, why no call up?
— kevster (@kevster2) August 25, 2017
Not enough space in the roster for him and he was one of the most disappointing players for Mexico in the Gold Cup. It sucks because I really wanted him to do well, but he was genuinely bad for El Tri last month.
Will Osorio continue the Rotations to the extent where its a completely different 11 or will he only make minor changes?
— Señor Bautista (@SenorBautista) August 25, 2017
One of those questions that I genuinely don’t know the answer. I think what you’re asking is one of THE big questions to consider during the next several months. Will Osorio finally start to figure out what his best XI is? What if Mexico secures an early spot for the World Cup, does that then mean that he will only use backups during the last qualifiers? So many questions to consider…
Fair to exclude Rafa?
— Ajagbe Adewole (@ajagbeadewole) August 25, 2017
Sadly, yes. Not the right time for him to be playing and not the right time for that situation to be tied together to the national team. I do wonder if this entire scandal might lead to his eventual retirement.
Porque no llaman a @Rpizarrot .. anda en mejor nivel que Gio
— Spicy Soccer ??⚽️ (@SpicySoccer1) August 25, 2017
He has been average with Chivas so far this season and was underwhelming during the Gold Cup. I think many of those young guys still have plenty to prove after the summer.
Thoughts on Monterrey's new stadium? Access? Ticket prices? Etc.
— Jack Kelly (@ActualJackKelly) August 25, 2017
Stadium looks incredible, but I’ve never been there so I’m not sure about access or pricing! I would ask @Jonyrico, he went there somewhat recently and can probably provide more details. I need to go one day.
Fullbacks are they ancient history in the Mexican national team???
— Ivan Pineda (@IvanPineda83) August 25, 2017
I like JCO and I trust his process but I don’t get this. It’s bizarre and I wish he would state his reasoning for this. But yeah, as long as he is in charge, it seems like we will continue to see a serious lack of true fullbacks.
Who do you think will be the 2 players that won't the final roster? #AskCesar and…. you was wrong about P.Aguilar, i was hoping you wasnt
— Gio Duarte ?? (@Gio_Duarte16) August 25, 2017
Yeah, I was definitely wrong about Aguilar. I thought he had a chance but that’s clearly not the case after the recent call-up. As for two players who won’t make the final roster (I assume you’re talking about the World Cup here), I don’t think Elias Hernandez or Hugo Ayala will be there.
Canelo or GGG?
— Sergio (@serg10_88) August 25, 2017
I don’t watch boxing soooooo Canelo?
Do you think chivas would possibly think about letting go orbelin and pizzaro to Europe in December and bringing in new talent?
— orlando martinez (@818McChiki) August 25, 2017
Tough position for them because some teams are probably interested, but they are also struggling in the current season. Also, who do they bring in? Do they necessarily have to be taking over their positions or should they go for some fullbacks or a striker? Not sure about this one but I do think that both have the potential to make a trip to Europe.
Are Pumas fans calling for Palencia's exit too soon/is it undeserved?
— Lee Bosch (@Lee_Bosch) August 25, 2017
I’m usually bothered when Liga MX managers don’t get enough time but he had over year with the club. I think it was time and Nico Castillo was the only thing keeping his job afloat during the first few weeks.
What are the odds we'll see Carlos Vela as a center forward for Mexico?
— Jiminy (@Voice_of_Jiminy) August 25, 2017
I was about to say 0% but then, you know, Osorio. (I don’t know shrug emotion). Maybe it will happen in a game where JCO runs out of subs and a player like Chicharito or Jimenez is injured.
Recess or Hey Arnold? pic.twitter.com/OGP8akV2NO
— Mariano Villa (@marianovillajr) August 25, 2017
Easy answer, Hey Arnold!
Best champions group stage match to call in sick?
— Octavio Magaña-Glez (@octaviomag) August 25, 2017
Non-Mexico fans: Group H.
Mexico fans: Groups A,C,G.
Do you think Mexico will classify versus Panamá?
— Arturo Díaz Macías (@CmdrDiaz) August 25, 2017
Looking at Mexico’s roster, there is no reason why they shouldn’t get a win against Panama. I’ll go with a 3-1 victory for El Tri next Friday.
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