There's no crystal ball, but Goal makes a few bold statements – or at least educated guesses – about what El Tri will experience in the new year

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  Chicharito gets back on track at West Ham

  Mexico's all-time leading scorer is once again trying to convince manager David Moyes that he deserves Premier League minutes – a sentence he surely hoped to leave in 2014. Instead, after a move from Bayer Leverkusen to West Ham and a coaching change after the Hammers struggled early, Hernandez once again finds himself trying to win a spot. The difference is that this time the competition isn't as strong. Yes, Marko Arnautovic has emerged as an option and Andy Carroll is good for a few goals, but look for Chicharito to win back a starting spot as West Ham struggles to find the back of the net. That should see him roll into the World Cup in good form.

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  Jonathan Gonzalez will make a late push for the World Cup squad

  The soon-to-be-Mexico-eligible midfielder is in no way a shoo-in for the 2018 World Cup roster. That said, it's unlikely he would've made a decision to file a one-time switch now without thinking there's at least some chance to break into El Tri's squad for Russia. Our prediction is not fearless – it's not that Gonzalez will make the roster, but by playing for El Tri against Bosnia in late January and playing a position where Mexico is not deep, he will be given an opportunity to convince Juan Carlos Osorio and the coaching staff that he should be on the plane.

• Troy Wayrynen
  

  One ‘Angeleno’ misses the cut in the surprise of the roster

  Carlos Vela has completed a trio in some ways, becoming the third Mexican international to play in the Los Angeles region as he joins up with LAFC from Real Sociedad. The Dos Santos brothers already are calling Southern California home where they play with the Galaxy. Could one or more of them end up staying and soaking up the sun instead of taking off for Moscow? With Marco Fabian set to return to match fitness, Gio's position on the final roster seems the most precarious, Jona's the least, but any of the three may falter in the short window they have to convince Osorio.

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• Pedro Pardo
  

  No more than one domestic-based player will start World Cup matches

  …and that's a good thing. Take a look at Mexico's likely starting XIs in Russia and you'll see nearly all Europe-based players with a potential inclusion of a Dos Santos brother or Carlos Vela in MLS. From Liga MX? Nestor Araujo looks like a good bet to stay with Santos Laguna and compete for starting minutes. Tigres winger Javier Aquino could get on the field from the opening whistle. But expect to see only one in each game. It won't be a policy or anything, it just shows the success Mexico has had in exporting talent lately.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News