Dani Pacheco Lobato is just another in the long line of talent streaming out of la cantera of Barcelona. Though, like many, he isn't not actually Catalan, but instead Andalusian. He was poach--err signed from Malaga to Barcelona, and in turn was poached by the scousers. As a player, the Liverpool first-teamer he has most in common with would be...Joe Cole. He's a short, quick player who likes to use trickery to make space and likes to operate behind the striker. These players are a dime-a-dozen in La Liga, but not to the same degree in the Premiership. To be honest, I was a bit surprised he didn't have more playing time this past year, considering the injury woes and the fact that he really should have been ready to make the leap up to the first team, especially considering the alternatives in the team and his performances in reserves, friendlies and with the Spanish U-19 side. Benitez, while I do not want to detract from all the good he did at Liverpool, had a horror show final season, and not developing Pacheco last year was probably a mistake from both a short and long term perspective. No matter, as he is just 19 and will hopefully feature this coming year.
YouTube Evidence
Haiku Dani Pacheco Fernando Torres except Has working hamstrings
Season Expectations Hodgson has never been afraid to take risks on players, and Pacheco has shown himself to be of the top quality. He is still very young, and plays behind a very talented (but historically very crocked) attacking group, which could lead him into competition against David Ngog. Not the world's most daunting task. If Liverpool stay healthy all year, probably only some cup action but if the injury bug plagues Anfield, expect a call for Pacheco.
The season is nearly upon us, as the Charity Shield is this coming Sunday! Excitement all around. Ligue 1 starts this week, the Premiership the week after and then a couple weeks later we get La Liga and Serie A. Do remind me how Spain and Italy start so much later and have a winter break to boot? What do they do with all that free time?
Anyways, big-name transfers are always overly-analyzed, where really young players stepping up is what teams are built on. If you aren't Chelski or the Middle Eastlands, you normally can't buy your way to contender, you have to build it. And really, is there anything more satisfying than seeing a talented youngster put it all together? Now, instead of a massive list that comes out in a week, I'm going to do one player at a time. Today's Edition: Chicharito
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez Manchester United Baby-faced is a bit of an understatement for the little pea. For those who are curious, Chicharito is so-named as his father, another footballer, was Chicharo for his green eyes. Continuing on with his play, this isn't nearly as sexy a pick as it would have been in say, I don't know, May? Chicharito had a fantastic World Cup and scored two great goals. He was found to be statistically the fastest player in the tournament, reaching a speed of 32.15km/hr, which is, if you're curious, the same top speed as a black mamba snake and a road runner. One in the same For some more gory details, here you go: Backstory: As I previously mentioned, Chicharito is a play off of his father's nickname. The little pea comes quite the distinguished footballing heritage, with a grandfather and a father who both played professionally. And his maternal grandfather, making him 100% genetically destined for greatness. Tomás Balcázar, his grandfather, was a member of the legendary Guadalajara team that 8 out of 10 titles in the mid-50s to 60s and represented Mexico internationally. His father, Chicharo, or Javier Hernández Gutiérrez by more formal definitions, was his reserve side manager at Guadalajara, and actually quit this past summer when denied leave to watch his son at the World Cup. Anyways, Chicharo was capped 28 times for Mexico and played at the 1986 World Cup and had a distinguished career in Mexican football, most notably for Tecos.
Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the actual young player didn't I?
Without much further ado, he is a product of the club of his grandfather (Guadalajara for those without good attention spans) and has played there for his entire career prior to the Mancs. He moved his way up the ranks, jumping from the lower division teams up to the big leagues. He missed out on the Mexico U17 Team that won the 2005 U17 World Cup due to injury but was in Canada for the U20 World Cup where Mexico...did not medal. Sorry I have to get my digs in. Anyways, his goalscoring record in Mexico was pretty suspect until the last couple of years (rather expected for his age) and finished joint-third top in the 2009 Apertura and is (still) leading the current Bicentenario with 10 goals in 11 appearances. His scoring record for the senior team is formidable, with 9 goals in his 16 appearances.
YouTube Evidence
Haiku Baby-faced striker Soon to replace CR7 As eyebrow model
Probable Role Striker depth isn't great at the Field of Dreams lately, particularly with the lack of support for Berbatov. If Berba can't turn it around early this year, expect Chicharito to get his fair share of chances, particularly in the early-round cup ties and relegation-fodder EPL matches. If he can prove as prolific there, expect him to supplant Berbatov in the hearts and minds of Mancs by season's end.
One in the same