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No room for Giovani Dos Santos in El Tri, says Osorio

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico national team manager, Juan Carlos Osorio, said the absence of Giovani Dos Santos in El Tri's roster for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers has to do with the player's current form.

Osorio admitted that Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Oribe Peralta, and Raul Jimenez are all currently ahead of Gio Dos Santos in the squad.

Despite watching Mexico play with three strikers against the United States in the CONCACAF Cup, Osorio is not considering a three-forward scheme like his predecessor Ricardo Ferretti. Instead, Osorio is looking at the possibility of playing with only two forwards.

"I don't see space for Giovani when all three are in great form and 100% physically, Giovani isn't," explained Osorio, who recalled the LA Galaxy forward did not attend the game against the USA through injury.

Osorio continued by referring to Giovani as somebody that can also play the No.10 role in a midfield diamond but added that Carlos Esquivel and Carlos "Gullit" Pena are better technically and physically at the moment.

Osorio concluded by saying, " I hope he recovers well for the sake of himself, his family, and Mexican soccer. Surely we will consider him in the future like many other players."

Among other players the Colombian manager mentioned, Osorio praised Hirving Lozano, Erick Gutierrez, and Rodolfo Pizarro but felt that they were perhaps not ready for their first senior call-up.