Even though most players from Latin America seem eager to join the national teams during the break regardless of the consequences for their clubs, we now see a different case with Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican ESPN features a story about how worried the striker is with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ campaign in the Premier League, and the impact it may have for the Tri.
It’s said coach Gerardo Martino and director Gerardo Torrado will be in touch with Jimenez to get to know more about his feelings and ask him to ‘press’ Wolves to let him travel.
The national team believes it’s the player himself, and not his staff, who’s ‘not willing to attend’, due to the club’s campaign with only one win in five league games, especially if he’s forced to quarantine following the international break.
A source from Wolves said Jimenez didn’t play against Tottenham Hotspur for the League Cup due to a ‘technical decision’, and not for any fitness problem.
Mexico are expected to use Argentina as an argument to convince the striker, since their internationals managed to play for the national team and still be available for their clubs.
However, since FIFA are trying to find a deal with UK’s government so the players can feature for Premier League sides right after returning to the country, that may not be necessary.
