For years, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez had been the biggest star of the Mexican national team, with his home country’s media normally covering all of his steps in Europe.
The centre-forward’s form hasn’t been the same for a while, though, and now we get to see people claiming he shouldn’t even be called up by the Tri.
Some comments were now made by Christian Martinoli on TV Azteca. Quoted by Esto, he claims the Fulham player isn’t good enough to be playing for Mexico.
“I know he’s an admirer and he really likes the way Raúl Jiménez plays. But it seems to me that Raúl Jiménez is no longer available for the national team. I think it would have to be a discussion between two strikers: Chaquito and Henry and you have to respect the hierarchy of playing in Europe,” said Martinoli.
“Jiménez has no place in the national team. In the national team no one assists.”
Jimenez has 33 goals in 105 appearances for Mexico. Due to injuries, he missed out on international tournaments this year, and slowly lost importance in the team.
The striker left Wolverhampton Wanderers for Fulham last summer in a €6.4m move. Since his arrival at the Craven Cottage, he has one goal in 13 appearances, and that was scored in the last match before the international break, in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Jimenez is still treated with great respect in Mexico, and we shall see whether that will be enough to give him more chances to stay in the national team.
Still, it’s clear things will have to improve at Fulham first.
