Copa América 2011: Giovani Dos Santos Cleared To Represent Mexico

Earlier today we learned that Giovani Dos Santos has been cleared by Tottenham Hotspur, his club side, to participate in the Copa América. This comes in spite of the fact that Dos Santos is also currently representing his country in the 2011 Gold Cup. In an era where clubs are more than happy to withhold players from international duty when it isn't required by FIFA, as is the case, it effectively means is that he is being put in the shop window by Tottenham, who would hope to find potential suitors after increased exposure at both the Gold Cup and Copa América. 

Dos Santos has never quite found his feet at the club level, but put together a good run of form while on loan at Racing Santander in the last half of the 2010-2011 season, helping them avoid relegation from La Liga. With Mexico taking part in two continental championships this summer, all parties recognize that it will be the perfect showcase. Tottenham no longer wants the player, and dos Santos needs to show that he can keep up the form he showed at Racing and fulfill some of hype he was once afforded. 

For Mexico, the national team is not exactly scarce in young attacking talent, but not many players can do what Gio dos Santos has shown us fleeting glimpses of. By succeeding in this summer's tournaments and landing himself at a reputable club, there might be a chance for Mexican fans to see more of the kid that attracted so much attention coming through the ranks at Barcelona.