Europeos Mid-Season Report Cards

A+ = Chicharito: He has been everything Bayer wished for and more. He is basically averaging a goal per game and has been on a scoring tear since October. Mexico will look to benefit from this new found confidence and form during WCQ and Copa America.

A+ = Andrés Guardado: El Capitan is PSV's rock. He sets the pace for the squad is sorely missed when not in the lineup. The same can be said for Mexico. The team misses him when he is not in the field. He has been a great choice as Mexico's captain and is currenty Vice Captain at PSV. His play has been consistent this season as PSV look to repeat as Eredivisie champions.


A = Hector Moreno: The long awaited move to a "big" club never materialized after Moreno had a few injuries. I would argue moving to PSV was a better move than an EPL club. He has made the most of the move and is an automatic starter at a Champions League caliber club.


B- = Raul Jimenez: Has surpassed the total # of minutes he had at Atletico last season and has 6 goals compared to 1. The coaching staff has shown a willingness to play him and give him starts. Raul needs to be more consistent in his performances in the 2nd half of the season but his play is improving at Benfica.


B+ = Hector Herrera: An early season slump, coupled with decreased playing time raised some flags for the Pachuca product. The Porto manager said he was only giving HH a rest due to his near constant play since the 2012 Olympics. HH has rebounded with improved play. Lazio are rumored to be making a move for him but Porto don't seem interested in selling this season. Herrera has been given the captain's armband on more than 1 occasion this season. With his current form, look for this grade to improve.


A = Miguel Layun: Last January, Layun was playing in England's 2nd division. He had just moved from Club America to Watford. This January, Layun is one of the first names in the lineup for Porto. He has nearly played every minute for Porto since coming over. Layun has improved his crossing and is one of the leading defenders in terms of assists. The Portuguese club is eager to exercise their buy option on his loan. 


B+ = Jesús Corona: We all knew he was not going to stay much longer at Twente but the move to Porto right before the deadline was still a bit of a surprise. He immediately jumped into the starting lineup and delivered. Tecatito already has 7 goals for Porto and has improved his passing. He has a 50 million Euro buyout clause. Look for him to stay in Porto past this season as his game and reputation continue to grow.


I = Ulises Davila: 74 minutes of action is all Ulises received at Vitoria Setubal. Luckily, he is back in Mexico with Santos. From everything I'm hearing, he will get plenty of chances in the Clausura. It's always a little sad when one of our Europeos leaves but this was the right move for Davila. He leaves Vitoria Setubal (and his European career) with an Incomplete grade.


C- = Rafa Marquez: He was the best defender on a Serie A squad that is bound to be relegated this season. Injuries hampered his season in Italy but Hellas Verona are short on talent this season. Rafa made the right move to come back to Atlas. I expect 2016 will be his last with El Tri but then again, we've been wrong before.


B = Jonathan Dos Santos: Jona stayed at Villarreal while his big bro left for MLS. After a strong showing in the Gold Cup, he is proving a vital part of Villarreal's squad. Although he tends to play on the right side instead of his preferred central position, he has adapted and shown versatility.


D- = Alan Pulido: This grade would have been even lower if not for his good performance in his only start for Olympiacos. Pulido played a full 90 and even got on the score sheet. Recent rumors have him turning down a loan move to MLS. Until he gets his club situation sorted out (again), Pulido is in no position to earn a call up to El Tri.

C = Carlos Vela: Carlitos is a little bit tricky to grade. He is as much a distributor as he is a goal scorer but in the current squad, he has no one to play off of. In league play, Real Sociedad is averaging 1.11 goals per game and have been shut out 8 times already. So I will admit Vela has been inconsistent but he has not had any attacking help since Griezmann was sold before last season. A move away from Sociedad might be in his best interest but Mexico fans hope that move is within Europe.


C+ = Diego Reyes: If this report card was done in October, Diego would have received a much higher grade but his playing time has dried up. It all started with his unnecessary red card that got him suspended for a game. Moyes then kept him off the squad for another game. Soon after, Moyes was gone and Real's new coach has simply not played Reyes. Eusebio has used other CBs and relegated Diego to the bench. With Real Sociedad's current form, Eusebio might not be the manager much longer. Either way, there is time this season for Diego to force his way onto the field.

Disagree with my grades? Leave a comment below.