Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 6y

Osorio pleased with Chicharito, Mexico's Europe-based players

Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio hasn't been shy in expressing his concern over the lack of club minutes for El Tri's Europe-based legion this season, but the Colombian is happy that the situation seems to be improving ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez scored for West Ham in their 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday and has started the Premier League club's past four matches, while Miguel Layun made a move from Porto to Sevilla and Hector Moreno switched to Real Sociedad from Roma in the last days of the January transfer window in order to get more minutes.

"We're happy about Javier [Hernandez]," said Osorio in a press conference in Arlington, Texas on Monday to promote El Tri's March 27 friendly in the city against Croatia. "From when I visited West Ham and spoke to Stuart [Pearce] and Mr. [David] Moyes I always said that with good service Javier would be a good finisher for them."

"It doesn't surprise me that he's scoring goals now they are using him well and Javier has every chance [of going to the World Cup].

"On Miguel [Layun], when he asked I gave my opinion before he went to Sevilla and I think he made the right choice ... the same with Hector [Moreno]. It fills us with optimism to think that our players are going to play a high percentage [of games]."

Osorio also had some positive news about Hirving Lozano, who was taken off at half-time of PSV's 2-1 win over Sparta Rotterdam due to injury.

"Fortunately, it is not serious for Hirving," said Osorio. "We've spoken to him ... We think he'll be back very soon."

The former Atletico Nacional coach again stressed the difficulty of Mexico's group at the World Cup -- Germany, South Korea and Sweden -- but sees the challenge as an opportunity for Mexico's players.

"It's not a surprise that for many Mexico's group is the most difficult in the competition. I think it is a great opportunity for Mexican football and that's how I personally see it," Osorio stated.

"We prepare all our lives to try to compete with the best and this is a great opportunity for Mexican football."

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