Futbolfgrad

The 2018/19 season sees two Mexican players, Chicharito and Raúl Jiménez in the English Premier League, so here we will look at how their two respective clubs are likely to fare. The influx of new talent may mean that game time for Chicharito is reduced, but there is no doubt that the talismanic centre-forward will have a major role to play throughout the long, gruelling campaign ahead. They have spent more than £65 million, almost £3million of which being a loan fee to Benfica for Mexican centre-forward Raúl Jiménez. Jiménez’ part of that future will most likely come down to both his and his team’s performances over the next nine months, but if the early signs are anything to go by, it is an exciting time to be at the famous West Midlands club.

Juventus were up 1-0 against the Major League Soccer All-Star team when Josef Martínez converted a billiard-like goal to make it 1-1 in front of over 70,000 soccer supporters at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. It was the only goal scored by the MLS-All-Stars as they battled Italian powerhouses Juventus to a 1-1 draw but were then defeated in a penalty shootout. Furthermore, Josef Martinez is now on track to break the single-season goal scoring record, which currently stands at 27 goals and is jointly held by Roy Lassiter (1996, Tampa Bay Mutiny), Chris Wondolowski (2012, San Jose Earthquakes) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (2014, New York Red Bulls). This might seem impossible at the moment but there are still several European top clubs looking out to sign a striker this summer, and with MLS in the spotlight thanks to Davies Martinez’s goal-scoring tally will not have been unnoticed.

On 17th June at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Mexico will kick-off their World Cup campaign against the holders Germany. El Tri should be confident going into the Finals in Russia

The Five Stripes, coached by Tata Martino, have been blazing an early trail in the MLS and while there’s still a long way to go, with nine victories, one draw and just a single defeat, the results underline why Atlanta United are priced as 5/2 MLS Cup football betting favourites with bet365, topping both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield rankings so far this season. Such pleasing displays from Miguel Almirón clearly suggest that even world-class veteran stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic at LA Galaxy, Carlos Vela at Los Angeles FC, or even World Cup winner David Villa at New York City FC, will struggle to better the phenomenal displays the young Paraguayan is producing with every game at Atlanta United. Venezuelan forward Josef Martínez is banging in the goals, and Ezequiel Barco has impressed with his limited displays so far, as the 19-year-old continues to be eased into the action following his MLS record $15 million move from Independiente, but Almirón is undoubtedly the key player pulling all the strings for Atlanta United as an attacking force to be reckoned with. Almirón won the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award, made the 2017 MLS Best XI and featured in the 2017 MLS All-Star selection last season, but there are growing concerns that his time with the club may be limited.