Mexico national team coach Juan Carlos Osorio has expressed his happiness at the form of Mexicans in Europe at present, naming Bayer Leverkusen's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as particularly impressing.
Porto's Mexico trio of Hector Herrera, Jesus "Tecatito" Corona and Miguel Layun all enjoyed excellent games over the weekend while Hernandez netted 12 goals in 14 games ahead of the Bundesliga winter break and was named the league's player of the month for both November and December.
FT Boavista 0-5 Porto Hector Herrera - goal Tecatito Corona - goal Miguel Layun - 2 assists Porto's Mexicans are on ������ #PorTri
- ESPN FC Mexico (@ESPNFCtri) January 10, 2016
"Mexico should be very proud of its representatives in Europe," said Osorio, talking in a news conference in Miami ahead of February's opening match of 2016 against Senegal in Marlins Park. "Chicharito is having an excellent campaign, they all are."
Colombian Osorio went on to state he believes that there are plenty of Mexican players in the Liga MX that could play in Europe, picking out Toluca goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera as one example.
The manager conceded that globalization has transformed the Liga MX into a league that houses many foreigners and that some national teams in other countries have suffered because of a lack of opportunities for young home-grown players at domestic level.
#INSERT type:image caption:Because the Senegal match is not a FIFA date, Mexico's Europe-based players won't see action. END#
"The FMF should makes adjustments [about naturalized Mexicans] and, as a foreigner, I think it is right that Mexicans have opportunities," stated Osorio.
At least a couple of youngsters that have been impressing in the Liga MX may be given a chance in the Feb. 10 match against Senegal, with El Tri's Europe-based players not involved due to it not being a specified FIFA international date. Osorio mentioned Pachuca trio Erick Gutierrez, Hirving Lozano and Rodolfo Pizarro as three young players that fit into that category.
The game against Senegal will be used in preparation for Mexico's World Cup qualifying double-header in March against Canada, with Osorio raising some concerns with the artificial pitch to be used in Vancouver on March 25.
El Tri started its World Cup qualifying campaign for Russia 2018 last November with a 3-0 victory over El Salvador and followed it up with a 2-0 win against Honduras.