The Mexican national team has yet to play its friendly games this international break, in spite of this there’s a lot of speculation brewing around the team thanks to the press conference that Tata Martino held on Tuesday night. Mexico held a Super Bowl style media day for the press to be able to fire questions at the national team coach, and many of the players. One of the main questions that both players and Martino got revolved around the striker position.
Gerardo Martino directly mentioned that he was going to drop one of the 4 strikers that he called up for the upcoming games. That means that either Raul Jimenez, Rogelio Funes Mori, Santi Gimenez, and Henry Martin won’t be in the World Cup roster. Even before the press conference TV Azteca’s David Medrano had revealed that Santi Gimenez is the man on the outside looking in. That information was challenged by a Televisa reporter who mentioned Funes Mori was the odd man out. From Tata Martino’s facial expressions in the press conference though, it seems he’s more worried about Raul Jimenez.
There’s No Real Time Table On Raul Jimenez’s Injury
When Tata Martino was asked about Raul Jimenez’s injury his eyes got real big, and he was not shy about voicing his concern either. He mentioned that the injury had been more serious than what Wolverhampton, and Mexico’s National Team doctors had anticipated. There was no time table for Raul’s return. What Martino did mention was that Raul was not going to play in the upcoming games. In fact, he will be making his way back to the UK this Sunday.
With no clear time table it’s still possible that Raul won’t be in rhythm to be able to start in the World Cup. He could literally be coming to the tournament without having played a game in months. Wolverhampton’s schedule is packed in October with only 3 games in November. With Funes Mori also out with an injury in these upcoming games it’s going to be Henry Martin, and Santi Gimenez as the only two options up front for Mexico’s upcoming games. Are these two guys literally fighting for their spot in the World Cup over the next few days? It seems likely, particularly since Funes Mori seems to be a lock on the 26-man roster.
Why Funes Mori Seems To Be A Lock
As we mentioned throughout the week there’s been plenty of speculation with regard to who’s on the chopping block to miss the World Cup at the striker position. Martino confirmed that he’ll only take 3 options. He would go on to say in his press conference that he believes Santi Gimenez’s performances with Mexico are in large part what got him signed by Feyenoord. After literally taking credit for the signing he would go on to say that Santi could very well miss the World Cup. There was no talk about Henry being scrapped, which kind of proves what we said last week about the benefits of being an America player, and being in great form.
The main reason though that Funes Mori seems to be the lock is that he’s the only true number 9 on the roster. Raul, Santi and Henry are strikers that can leave the box, and veer to one side of the pitch. That can certainly benefit a team that plays with two attacking wings at all times. The problem is the three are similar players with Funes Mori being the only traditional inside the box number 9 option. Chicharito would be another traditional number 9 that Mexico could call upon, but he’s out regardless of what happens. So this leaves Funes as the only “different” striker on the roster!
