The latest Top 25 rankings are out. Make sure you head over to FutMexSource to see the complete rankings. Keep reading for my rankings and thoughts on some of the players. Feel free to tell me how wrong I am in the comments below.
#1. Andres Guardado: I’ll have to admit, I almost put Tecatito above Guardado. Instead, the Porto player slots in at #2 for me. The reaction around Mexico fans when Guardado got hurt showed how important everyone thinks he is for his country. I don’t think any other player would have received that type of reaction (maybe Chicharito?) from fans. He sets the tempo for club and country from the midfield. Currently averaging 1.55 Key Passes per 90 minutes at PSV.
#2. Tecatito Corona: Chuy has exceeded my expectations at Porto. He has started nearly every game since his move from Twente and is an integral part of Porto’s attack. The team already trusts him to take free kicks and corner kicks (same for Layun). He is blossoming with his new team and this bodes well for Mexico. He is averaging 1 goal every 82 minutes at Porto.
#5 & 6 Hector Moreno & Diego Reyes: One is back to his old self, playing at a high level in Europe. The other is finally getting minutes in Europe. For the foreseeable future, this pair will be Mexico’s starting centerbacks. I know Salcido is close but I think Moreno and Reyes will be the choice going forward. The Real Sociedad loan for Reyes has revitalized his career and impressed many. He is currently rated as one of the better CBs in La Liga. Moreno is fully recovered from any injury concerns.
#16. Carlos Peña : Is he back? That’s what I kept asking myself after every good Gullit performance for Leon. He seemed like a shell of the player Tom Marshall predicted to be a breakout star in 2014. That prediction was when he was coming off of a great 2013, even providing 3 Assists and 1 Goal in the 2014 WC Playoff against New Zealand. Since then, his form has dropped and so did his spot on the national team. However, this season appears to be his comeback season. Gullit already has 6 goals in 897 LigaMX minutes. Unfortunately, he is off the roster due to an injury. Going forward, Mexico fans should keep on eye on him, again.
#17 Alfredo Talavera: Is he Mexico’s “BEST” keeper? If best = most talented then no. Do I think he is Mexico’s best keeper option right now? Sure. That’s not to take anything away from Tala but if Memo was getting any minutes at Malaga, it would be hard to sit him in favor of Toluca’s #1. Tala has been good at Toluca for years and might finally get an extended look with the national team.