Atlante Active, But Do They Have The Right Pieces?

Atlante have been one of the most active teams in the transfer market, but also has the potential to lend credence to the old saying that quantity doesn't always equal quality. This is not to say the market has been a total bust, and indeed Mario Garcia and the staff at Atlante have made some moves to fill positions of need, but the additions of players like Armando Navarrete and Andres Mendoza are risky ones.

For one Navarrete's short-lived spell as Guillermo Ochoa's successor at America was less than inspiring. While he didn't exactly have the benefit of a strong defense in front of him, his flaws were also on display, perhaps no more so than in his performance in the superclásico, were Chivas won 3-1 in large part thanks to a pair of early errors, with Moises Muñoz going the other way, Atlante's goalkeeping situation is now rather precarious.

Elsewhere, Atlante swapped one foreign striker for another, with Giancarlo Manldonado on his way to Atlas in favor of Andres Mendoza, who arrives at the club after spending a season and a half in MLS with the Columbus Crew. While the Peruvian forward should provide an upgrade over Maldonado in terms of pure goalscoring and indeed bagged 13 goals in a one year spell with Morelia, his age (33 compared to Maldonado's 29) and questions about his work ethic pose a risk for Atlante.

Nonetheless, Ecuadorian trio Michael Arroyo, Jorge Guagua and David Quiroz represent a solid set of investments, with Guagua having plenty of experience in some of Ecuador's top teams, the 24-year-old Arroyo putting together a solid spell with San Luis and Quiroz coming after a successful career in Ecuador's Serie A. However, Quiroz could go somewhere else in Mexico or back to Ecuador on loan, as Atlante has already filled its foreign player quota.

If Atlante's risky moves pay off, it could propel the squad to a Liguilla spot with ease. However, enough questions exist at both the forward and goalkeeper positions, not to mention the lack of a bona fide replacement for Christian Bermudez to think three-time champions might find themselves back in the middle of the table.

Atlante Transfers - In

Armando Navarrete - GK, America

Michael Arroyo - FW, San Luis

Jorge Guagua - DF, LDU Quito

Ricardo Jimenez - DF, Atlas (loan)

Herbert Alferez - FW, HNK Rijeka (loan)

Andres Mendoza - FW, Columbus Crew

David Quiroz - MF, Emelec

Atlante Transfers - Out

Moises Muñoz - GK, Atlante

Christian Bermudez MF, Atlante

Diego Ordaz - DF, San Luis

Giancarlo Maldonado - FW, Atlas (loan)

Matias Cordoba - MF, unattached

Nicolas Torres - DF, unattached

FMF State of Mind Transfer Window Grade: C+