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.
Look, it was a hard year to be a Fernando Torres fan. He was showing a dangerous propensity for being crocked, and struggled (to put it lightly) in this World Cup. I've always been a big Torres fan, back from when he was the Flag of Atleti, and needless to say I was over the moon when he was signed by Liverpool. He has clearly not disappointed, when healthy, and it is hard to remember that after such a miserable last campaign. When I was bombarded by thousands of transfers rumors involving El Nino, I began to accept them. When I heard 80 million pounds to City, all I could think about was rebuilding the team and what if he stays crocked? I had my doubts, because the tabloids had convinced me he was leaving. In the end though, it's great to have him back. I'm already talking myself into a front four of Cole, Gerrard, Aquilani and Torres that will lift Liverpool to overdue glory! So, in short, welcome back Fernando and YNWA.
If he signs for Chelsea or City before September, I will shoot someone.
Steve Cherundolo, who has put in a stellar twelve seasons with Hannover 96, has been named team captain for next year. I'm not fact-checking myself, but I believe the only other American to be named captain of a Bundesliga side is Claudio Reyna with Wolfsburg (where he amazingly did it while on loan). Cherundolo has always been a class act and consummate professional, who once declined a move to Bolton to stay a one-club man. He has actually stated he loves nothing more than being a player who can find a fan following who appreciates him and then stay, no matter what possibly greener pastures lie elsewhere, with that club. It couldn't happen to a better guy and professional, and best of luck to Hannover 96 this coming season.
Barcelona is in South Korea right now, and in true MLS fashion, they are playing a friendly against the K-League All-Stars. Now, while American fans were thrilled to see any Man U players (and I'm sure many Houstonians were thrilled to see Chicharito), Barca could face a 200,000Euro fine if Messi does not play 30 minutes tomorrow. I'm sure this was in the print somewhere, but this is rather absurd. I can understand the South Koreans desire to see arguably the best player in the world at least make a cameo, but this is one part of the money-grubbing side of football that really rubs me the wrong way. Obviously he's very well-paid for his troubles, but this has a distinct "DANCE MONKEY DANCE" feel to it. Yet again, these games are purely for Barca to make cash that they (apparently so desperately) need, but still, this is all going to look pretty stupid if some overzealous South Korean snaps his ankle off.
Rafa Marquez has joined the New York Red Bulls, definitively proving that the MLS is apparently good enough for all squad/bench players of Barcelona. Vaya Bojan! Apparently, Henry and Marquez drew the short straw compared to Yaya Toure's mega-money signing with City, but regardless, it is quite a coup for a team that just last year was a total and utter joke, but in the dynamic world of MLS, NYRB are now in 2nd in the East, and just happened to add some world-class talent to their side. I know I wrote a rather negative account of Henry's move, but I am big enough to admit I might be overly-negative. Instead of slowly losing their grip on dominance, and fading dimmer and dimmer into the limelight, a shell of their former selves, maybe stars will now play for a big, final payday in the States while they are still at 80% of their powers. This is not complaining; this is progress! I remember hearing in an interview Drogba entertaining the idea, and while I wouldn't believe it then, why not now? One thing that cannot be escaped is that for very rich people, the good ole US of A is not too shabby. Perhaps due in part to the relative anonymity they can receive here, but I feel like in a large percentage of stories I read about player vacations, they vacation here. Cristiano Ronaldo with the LA Galaxy? After Portugal's ignominous exit from the 2018 World Cup, COUNT ON IT. That's right. Take that to the bank.
Could this be a random blip, soon to be forgotten? Perhaps. But I honestly believe the tide is turning. I lived in Barcelona for 6 months, which was enough time for all of Barcelona to convince me that Henry was, in fact, a washed-up has-been. This is probably wrong. Even so, has-been Henry is still a lot better in-his-prime Buddle. And Marquez is better than Goodson, even in a decade. So, we're becoming a way for players to leave on top in Europe, and continue playing the game they love, in front of thousands of fans while being paid comparable salaries to back home (they are DP's after all, not squad-MLSers). The competition is good, and they might even have to break a sweat to win some trophies. But most importantly, everyone in Europe is starting to know some MLS. Every football fan in Europe now knows TWO MLS teams. As I said, this is not complaining. This is progress.
One in the same
