Manchester United's quest to get younger and replenish its talent pool has led it to Mexico and one of CONCACAF's brightest young stars.
The English powerhouse has reached an agreement with Chivas de Guadalajara for the rights to Mexican national team striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, a deal that is contingent on Hernandez securing a work permit.
As part of the deal, Manchester United has agreed to play Chivas Guadalajara at their new stadium to kick off next season.
Just 21, Hernandez has scored 11 goals for a red-hot Guadalajara side this season and has made a rapid rise into a major role with the national team. He will be the first Mexican player to play for Manchester United.
Here are some other stories to get your Wednesday going:
Lennon set for shock return from injury
England midfielder and Tottenham star Aaron Lennon looks setto make a surprising return from a groin injury that has kept him out since December and threatened to jeopardize his chances of making England's World Cup team.
Lennon could be in the squad for Tottenham's FA Cup semifinal match-up against Portsmouth this weekend. His return would be an added boost for an England team that has already lost another right winger in David Beckham for the World Cup.
Guerrero banned for throwing bottle at fan
Hamburg and Peruvian national team striker Paolo Guerrero was issueda five-match ban for throwing a bottle at a fan, a ban that effectively ends Guerrero's season.
Guerrero reportedly threw a full bottle at a fan after Hamburg's recent tie vs. Hannover on Sunday, hitting the fan in the shoulder.
The suspension likely marks the end of Guerrero's time with Hamburg as he is out of contract after this season.
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What do you think of this news? Surprised to see Manchester United by 'Chicharito'? Think the Mexican striker can succeed in the Premier League?
This is a marketing strategy for Man U. This is a nice way to introduce the biggest club in the world to a Mexican nation that mostly follows two spanish teams. Chicharito is a decent player, but lets be honest, he really hasn’t played against worthy opponents. His goals in the NT have come against below average teams. I think he will see the pitch maybe two games, but this is a Nerry Castillo waiting to happend. Not physical enought for the EPL. Good move for Man U to win over Mexican fans and the selling of Man U goods in Mexico! 😉
This is actually good news for U.S fans too. Another Mexican player going to bench warm a seat in the EPL.lol
Those who say we should root for Mexico because they are part of the Concacaf system are insanely ILL!!! That’s like me saying I will root for the St. Louis Cardinals or Green bay Packers if my Bears or Cubs don’t make the playoffs! Come on Millwall fans root for West Ham to stay in the EPL!… hhhmmm
Hmmm…I remember a certain Mexican named Hugo Sanchez, but Im sure Alexi Lalas was better LOLZ!@
Once again other fellow comparing 90+ years of MExican futbol to a U.S system whos new birth was given in the early 90’s.
You have had two successful Mexican players in Europe in 90+ years of soccer history, not very impressed man.lol
LOL One Mexican player in 90+ years of futbol history is not something to be proud about. 🙂 Mexico with the kind of league they have and the amount of money they invest in the game one would think that they would have more than two successful Mexican players in europe. Don’t compare us to Mexico, are futbol didn’t really take off until 1994, so it’s not fair to compare your number 1 sport to our 4th if that sport in America.
Not hating, but I’m unable to understand how any American fan can ever root for Mexico. My brain just can’t compute that.
Unlikely, since he’s better than this kid.
Yeah, and he’s had sooo much time to prove himself at Milan.
Really. I dont get the whole hate of Mexico beyond US vs Mexico among Americans. I most certainly despise Mexican footbal…when its against us. However, when Mexico is playing Brazil or Spain cheer for the god forsaken Mexicans. Their good play (when it happens) reflects on the confederation overall.
Isnt Hercules Gomez 2nd in scoring in FMF right behind el chicharito? I’m cringing at the thought of what the English will call him. I hated when they would call Robinho “Robbie”, and even stopped watching a man city game just because they were using that name. Its totally a territorial thing, by butchering foreign names instead of giving respect. Damn imperialist!
Has any American player won any titles while in Europe? If so, list most important titles first?
I’m not trolling, I am just curios because I don’t know of any besides oguchi. There has to be more right?
As a follower of, both, the English and Mexican leagues, Chicharito has a lot potential. I do feel that it might be a big leap for him, but he’s still a young player, and Manchester United can give him the experience he needs to become a great player. I don’t know if he’ll be the “next big thing” in England, but we can’t judge and say he’s going to do poorly based on what other Mexican players have done (or not done). I do believe he’s different from Dos Santos in the sense that Chicharito has shown a great deal of maturity, which Dos Santos did not. I think Chicharito will take advantage of the opportunity that has been given to him. I wish him the best.
Lol he’s Korean!
Speaking of Concacaf, has there been anything anywhere on SBI about the semifinal return legs of our region’s “most important club competition”?
I bet the Brits will still follow the Champions even with England clubs out.
Heck, I even understand that a guy who gets some time with the USMNT plays for one of the clubs involved…
Pachuca and Cruz Azul in the finals.
I would add that Mexican clubs seem more willing to sell their foreign players, that Mexican players make a pretty good living in Mexico, that the “gentleman’s agreement” between the owners about the last Mexican club a player played for has his rights when he returns to Mexico is about as messed up as MLS’s similar policy, and that the split season 2 playoff system is ruining Mexican footie.
Also probable that more US players have a recent immigrant family history that can get them an EU passport.
Let me know if you are unhappy with my (loose)translation. DÃgame por favor si no le gusta mi traducción no muy exacta.
Also, it’s good to calm down and post in English even if it’s not perfect, I for one don’t mind if someone makes the effort to post English and I have to figure it out a little.
Cálmase y comente en inglés aunque no sale perfecto. Todos entendemos inglés pero muchos no entienden español.
Briefly, you said(paraphrased) Mexican players are at a high level but they develop in their own Mexican league. But, the owners try to sell them at too high a price, so it’s hard for them to get to Europe and improve more… Chivas has given opportunity for some players to go on to Europe. We’re happy for Chicharito, but would be happier if more Mexican clubs would help young move on to Europe so all could see there true talent level.
Mexico has good players, how many times have they passed out of the group stages in WC’s(My note:since 1986, only missing 1990 when sanctioned for using an overage player in youth competitions).
Apparently many of you are racist. if you don’t think much of Mexican culture, come visit and see that you will be treated well. Some of you though…(Not complete not exact but I hope close enough).
Los jugadores mexicanos tienen un gran nivel, lo que pasa con ellos es que crecen futbolisticamente en la misma liga y se cotizan demasiado, lo que provoca que su nivel de competencia no cresca y no avancen de nivel, lo que hace el Guadalajara es dar oportunidad a los jovenes para jugar en Eurpa. Estamos felices por chicharito pero mas felices porque los clubes mexicanos daran mas oportunidad a sus jovenes para no quedarse. atras y veran el verdadero nivel de estos jugadores.
Si no creen que Mèxico tenga buenos jugadores averiguen desde cuando no se quedan en la primera face del mundial, a lo mejor no pasan a la tercera pero nunca se han encontrado con un partido malo y sin calidad.
Al parecer salieron muy racistas. Si creen que no tenemos cultura (jaja) pueden venir a Mèxico y nadie los tratara mal, en cambio algunos de ustedes despues de todo lo que han pasado … no aprenden y siguen siendo RACISTAS.
VIVA MEXICO
Ha! You took the fan rumours and media hype too seriously; like Adu(Robinho) the next Pele, or Saviola the next Maradona. Come on nobody is going to tbe the next anything.
Yes whenever a Mexican goes abroad he the next big thing. Ochoa has forever been going to Real Madrid, Nery castillo was goin to go to Chelsea after Man City, Borghetti was going to tear it up with Bolton. Dos Santos 1 was the next Ronaldinho with Barca then was going to be a stud with Tottenham, and Vela was the next Berkamp.Dos Santo 2 was soo good Barca was going to keep him to be the real next Ronaldinho when in reality they couldnt find a buyer for the kid forced on them by his father as a precurser to signing the older brother
How are those projections going….
Park is alright not consistent Donovan is better and so is Dempsey
No there are more USA players abroad then there are Mexicans way more.
ummm Humberto Suazo, Hugo Rodallega, Chelito Delgado & Christian Benitez would disagree.
I’m not a hater. I don’t hate mexico or Mexicans. I don’t like united but i very much hope he does well.
People said that about Park too. They’ve been proven wrong.
seriously, don’t really even see englishmen wishing bad play on Ballack cause he’s German. Do people honestly think when a Brazilian is watching Barcelona play, as Dani Alves overlaps Messi and then lays the ball back to Messi for the shot, that Brazilian fan is think man i hope messi screws this up. i just doubt that is remotely the prevailing mentality.
To be fair Rafa Marquez has achieved higher honors at a higher level and better club then any American footballer in history.
I wish hernandez the best as long he doesn’t play against my USMNT. He has been playing great and deserves a chance to show what he has.
Good for CONCACAF. Now, when the US beats Mexico, knuckleheads in Europe will say, “hey, they’ve got a guy who plays for Man U, etc.” Our fortunes are linked. Face it.
Hernandez benched Bravo, and I don’t know, watching this guy play live, he reminds me a lot of Hugo. He heads the ball incredibly well and has a high vertical leap. He’s just impressive, he scores whatever chance he gets, and you can’t teach that to a player, it’s that instinct. Hugo wasn’t that technically gifted but he scored whatever came in front of him, I see the same thing with hernandez.
Deckerito approves.
Are you kidding me, Marquez has done a lot. He’s won two spanish league titles, and two champion’s league titles, etc. At one point he was one of the 30 nominated for FIFA player of the year. So don’t be hating on Mexican players.
But he’s talking about doin something with a power house team, because yeah oguchi did well in belgium, but in Milan he’s a nobody.
i would never take guerrero. he’s afraid of flights. he admitted that in the german newspaper.
I only follow a little bit of Mexican soccer but I remember Omar Bravo was supposed to be the next big thing then I heard he was sent back to Chivas how is he doing now? Is Hernandez much better then him I know he is the leading goal scorer but I think Brave was also at one point.
He was bought to sell jerseys. He will probably never become more than a squad player.
I think ManU is too big of a jump for Hernandez but I have never been as impressed by a young Mexican striker as I have from Chicharo in the last 1 1/2 seasons. He is different than Vela and Dos Santos in that he is bigger physically and can shoot with both feet and scores headers. If people here would have actually seen some of his goals they would understand what the hoopla is about. And you cant judge him on what Hercules Gomez has done in the Mexican League, he has poached most of his goals.
Has been Galatasarays best player the last 3 games. Vela was going to start the second leg against Barcelona but lost his passport. Chicharito has tremendous talent but I would of preferred he went to PSV as they wanted him also. He would have gotten way more playing time there.
you mean like rafa marquez?
Khano Smith threw a gatorade bottle at us quakes fans two seasons ago when we beat the heck out of the revs. IT WAS HILARIOUS! It was funny cuz we were heckling him than after he threw the object at us hella more ppl joined in.
I dont think Smith faced any punishment though
sure… why not?
Are we speaking Onweyu? Because that version of Oguchi won two titles in Europe, play in the Champions League and get signed by a European power. My apologies if you were referring to another oguchi though.
I think that Spain acts as Mexico’s “England”, or the main destination for players, like England is for Americans…
I don’t have stats to back that up but I would bet there are about as many or more Mexicans in Spain than USA players in England…
you mean like oguchi?
Hercules is a poacher who shoots well (Like Borgetti and Sabah). You don’t have enough people giving him the ball and they are just not good enough on their own. I would say the Mexican league is a league of good defenders not good attackers. Plus if it was so easy to score MLS teams would beat them more often. Regardless, traditionally leading goal scorers in Mexico are not Mexican and Chicharro is almost averaging a goal per game (when he plays). Mixed in with what he did in his 4 matches in the National team and he is definitely worth a shot.
Only time will tell but he may turn out to be the next Hugo Sanchez. Or if he was American the next…..never mind.
Just saw that press reports from England note his four goals in four Tri caps. Nobody noted that the goals came vs Bolivia (brace in a 5-0 rout), New Zealand and North Korea. All were friendlies played either in Mexico (N Korea game) or in front of all-Mexican crowds in California.
have nothing vs the kid but when has Man U ever bought a 21 year old with so little int’l experience or so few career goals (28 total) in such a weak league? remember, when you tell me he has 11 this season alone, don’t forget that Herculez has 9 and has played in part as a sub.
be that as it may, hilarious that Preki turned his nose up at him. now the mad Serb is f’ing up Toronto.
no worries …. once LLetget cracks WH’s line up. He will be signed by of the big 4
no, it doesnt do anything for concacaf players rep. its good for mexican players rep.
I hope Chicharrito is better at remembering his passport than Vela. Crucial 2nd leg of Champions League quarterfinal at Nou Camp and Vela missed it due to pulling a Hejduk. Unreal. Hard to be 20 years old and filthy rich but seens the immaturity of young players, American as well as Mexican (see Freddy and Jozy twatter posts, and tabloid pics of apparently druken Gio), never ends and is endangering great opportunities that they will rue in their old age.
Mexican fans are too excited not only about Chicharrito but also by Gio and Vela performances vs USA C team last summer. Like Adu, these guys have not yet done a thing against top-level pros.
This move is to sell shirts – just like that Chinese player they bought who never players.