Top 25 Mexican Players

Top 25 Mexican Players (updated 3/9/18)

THE MEXICO TOP 25!

If you aren’t aware of my current project, I will be collaborating with other El Tri experts every month and rank who we deem to be the best Mexican players at the moment. It isn’t a “best of the month” list, but recent performances will of course influence our decisions. It should be fun.

Remember, these rankings are subjective. My main goal is to inspire discussion and conversations about our top players. Let us know any and all thoughts.

Collaborators from this month include: Jason Marquitz, Tom Marshall, Adriana Terrazas, Jon Arnold, Francisco Velasco, Tom Harrison, Steve Graff, Bryan W and yours truly.

1. Hirving Lozano
Club: PSV Eindhoven
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder/Winger
“Despite his recent suspension, Lozano continues to be the most impressive Mexican player in Europe.” -Cesar

2. Andres Guardado
Club: Real Betis
Age: 31
Position: Midfielder
“Slowly but surely, Guardado is gaining confidence with his high level of play.” -Bryan

3. Hector Herrera
Club: Porto
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
“Once again a regular starter for Porto as they close in on a first league title since 2013, before Herrera joined the club. Promising signs in a World Cup year.” -Tom H

4. Javier Hernandez
Club: West Ham
Age: 29
Position: Striker
“Safe to say there will be limited minutes for the striker before the World Cup this summer.” -Jason

5. Hector Moreno
Club: Real Sociedad
Age: 30
Position: Defender
“Moreno has earned a place in La Real’s starting XI and already has a goal in hand, this is good news for El Tri fans.” -Cesar

6. Jesus Manuel Corona
Club: Porto
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder/Striker
“It’s been a while since he’s had a breakout game. I’m afraid he’s not mentally 100% for fútbol right now, but it’s understandable.” -Bryan

7. Carlos Salcedo
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Age: 24
Position: Defender
“Salcedo’s made 14 Bundesliga starts for a Frankfurt side that are in the thick of the Champions League race, usually as a right-sided centre-back in a back three. If Osorio uses four defenders, Salcedo should be favorite to play at right-back.” -Tom H

8. Raul Jimenez
Club: Benfica
Age: 26
Position: Striker
“Jimenez continues to be a solid option for Mexico despite his lack of playing time.” -Jason

9. Miguel Layun
Club: Sevilla
Age: 29
Position: Defender
“The move to Sevilla is a step in the right direction for Layun, hopefully it continues to pay off with a starting role.” -Cesar

10. Carlos Vela
Club: LAFC
Age: 28
Position: Striker/Midfielder
“Got an assist in his first game for LAFC, but his passing was a tad off the rest of the match.” -Bryan

11. Guillermo Ochoa
Club: Standard Liege
Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
“The move to Standard Liege perhaps hasn’t worked out exactly as expected, considering their defensive issues, but Ochoa’s received plenty of first-team football, which is a vast improvement on his time at Malaga.” -Tom H

12. Diego Reyes
Club: Porto
Age: 25
Position: Defender
“Reyes has finally found a home with Porto and is a regular in defense.” -Jason

13. Jonathan dos Santos
Club: LA Galaxy
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder
“Regardless of his MLS role, Jonathan continues to be one of the more exciting alternate options in the national team.” -Cesar

14. Javier Aquino
Club: Tigres
Age: 27
Position: Midfielder/Winger
“Javier was one of the few really going all out against Toronto. I have a feeling he has a big game coming in the second leg.” -Bryan

15. Oribe Peralta
Club: America
Age: 34
Position: Striker
“There’s no sign of Peralta’s performances for América declining yet, but Alan Pulido should be putting pressure on his spot as Mexico’s third striker in Russia.” -Tom H

16. Marco Fabian
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Age: 28
Position: Midfielder
“Now back from injury, time will tell if he can regain his peak form prior to Russia.” -Jason

17. Nestor Araujo
Club: Santos Laguna
Age: 26
Position: Defender
“Thanks to his physical presence, there’s a strong chance that Araujo will be a starter this summer in the World Cup.” -Cesar

18. Rodolfo Pizarro
Club: Chivas
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
“His effort is there, but being on a team struggling does him no favors.” -Bryan

19. Erick Gutierrez
Club: Pachuca
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
“Inexplicably dropped by Diego Alonso when Víctor Guzmán hit goal scoring form, Gutiérrez is now once again proving himself to be one of the classiest players in Liga MX. If Osorio takes a central midfielder from Liga MX, it has to be Gutiérrez over Orbelín.” -Tom H

20. Jonathan Gonzalez
Club: Monterrey
Age: 18
Position: Midfielder
“With his minutes reduced at Monterrey, a World Cup roster spot appears to be out of reach.” -Jason

21. Jose Juan Vazquez
Club: Santos Laguna
Age: 29
Position: Midfielder
“Can ‘Gallito’ force his way into the World Cup roster? A strong season with Santos might be able to earn him a last minute spot to Russia 2018.” -Cesar

22. Edson Alvarez
Club: America
Age: 20
Position: Defender/Midfielder
” I’m not sure if Piojo is subtly punishing him for lack of focus, but Mexico needs Edson at 100% in June.” -Bryan

23. Giovani dos Santos
Club: LA Galaxy
Age: 28
Position: Striker
“At 28, this should be Gio’s World Cup, but sub-par displays for club and country see dos Santos dropping further back in the minds of El Tri fans. Osorio should seriously consider taking a younger alternative, perhaps Rodolfo Pizarro or Chofis López, to Russia.” -Tom H

24. Elias Hernandez
Club: Leon
Age: 29
Position: Winger/Midfielder
“Hernandez is a consistent performer for Leon but seemingly on the outside of a World Cup place.” -Jason

25. Cesar Montes
Club: Monterrey
Age: 20
Position: Defender
“Montes still has plenty to prove ahead of this summer’s World Cup.” -Cesar

Honorable mentions: Omar Govea, Henry Martin, Arturo Gonzalez, Jesus Gallardo, Jose de Jesus Corona, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez.

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