According to reports out of Mexico, Santos Laguna striker Christian Benitez will be wearing the yellow jersey of Club America for the Apertura 2011 season. Neither Santos nor Club America have yet issued an official announcement, but ESPN’s John Sutcliffe reports that the two clubs have already reached an agreement on the player.
"Chucho" Benitez is by far one of the most talented strikers in the league, although his form suffered this year as he battled injures throughout the Clausura 2011 season. Finishing with just four goals, Benitez was not able to help Santos to a spot in the Liguilla. This was a stark contrast to the previous season, in which Benitez won the Apertura 2010 league scoring title by finishing with fourteen goals in regular season play. He also added two goals in the playoffs, leading Santos to the finals where they lost to Monterrey.
Benitez would add a powerful new weapon to the already high-scoring Club America arsenal. Despite their lofty goal scoring totals this season, America did have some inconsistent play at the striker position, especially early in the season. With Benitez on the way in, America management will have to settle on a new lineup up front. No doubt whoever ends up on the field, this has the potential to become one of the most feared attacking units in the Mexican Primera.