In Search for a Backup Number 10

Here we are once again we are dealing with a Diego Valdes injury. The Chilean attacking midfielder will be out for 2-3 weeks with a muscle injury. I’m sure we all agree that when Valdes isn’t out there we always tend to struggle. Jardine can move players around but nobody can play the 10 position as naturally as Diego Valdes can. I know that it’s early to talk transfer window since we don’t know who will be here next season but i don’t believe it’s early to talk about depth in certain positions. For the purpose of this article I will be naming Mexican players only. These players can come in and either back up or compete for the starting 10 spot. The reason why I’m only naming Mexican players is due to the lack of foreign spots available.

In Search for a Backup Number 10

KAREL CAMPOS

I’ll start this list with homegrown talent Karel Campos. A player in our academy who hasn’t had many chances since he debuted in 2020. Campos has only played 33 minutes in 6 official games with the club but is still only 21-years old. With Diego Valdes missing the next few games, potentially even the first leg versus New England Revolution we don’t really have anyone to fill his absence. Yes, Julian Quiñones, Alejandro Zendejas and Javairǒ Dilrosun can play in that position, but I feel that any time you move any of these players out of their true position it becomes a hit or miss. Negatively impacting the team. The team flows perfectly when everyone is in their spot and like we seen this past Saturday in the clasico, without Valdes we struggle to move up the field in caparison to when he’s on the field. You plug in Karel Campos who is the only natural 10 behind Diego Valdes and it’s possible you get a similar impact. Will Campos be as good as Valdes? Most likely not but, the important thing about putting someone who plays that position and understands the role is that it’ll get the offense into rhythm instead of forcing something that makes the offense off balanced. I would like to see Campos get minutes in the upcoming friendly versus Cruz Azul to see what he could do. Then moving forward temporarily have him play while we don’t have Diego. If it works, you don’t have to look anywhere else for a backup.

MARCEL RUIZ

For the longest time we have been linked to Marcel Ruiz but never anything concrete. A very creative midfielder who can play several positions on the field. 23-year old Marcel Ruiz would be a perfect fit for this America team. Not only would he come in to compete with Diego Valdes but with an almost guarantee that Alvaro Fidalgo will be leaving this summer, Marcel Ruiz could easily be Fidalgo’s replacement. 9 goals 6 assists in the last 73 games with Toluca I believe he could bring the same impact Diego Valdes brings whenever he’s needed to play in that number 10 position. You have him play Fidalgo’s role that he will leave vacant and he could end up a consistent starter. A player that needs a big move either to Europe or to a top team in Mexico to get opportunities with the Mexican National team that lacks creativity.

ARTURO GONZALEZ

Arturo Gonzalez, known as “Ponchito” was once viewed as a wonderkid for Mexico. Winning the U-17 World Cup in 2011 with the Mexican National team. Ponchito had a very bright future. Sadly, injuries and inconsistency held him back from really blossoming into the player Mexico hoped he could be. Nonetheless Ponchito has been a very good Liga MX player especially after his move from Atlas to Rayados. In the last 21 games he has 3 goals and 3 assists. In the 2022/2023 season, Gonzalez scored 10 goals and had 9 assists in 40 games. A rotational player for Rayados I believe he can come in and do the same with America. Gonzalez could also play the left winger a position we will probably look to add depth for after the departure of Jonathan Rodriguez. You keep Julian Quiñones as your starting left winger and have Brian Rodriguez compete, Arturo Gonzalez could be your emergency third option left winger instead of Salvador Reyes who most people aren’t a fan of on that left side. At 29 years old, its hard to imagine Ponchito gets a better move than this, and if he would like to be competing for a spot in the World Cup 2026 roster, moving to Club America would probably be his bet to real chance in making his only senior World Cup.

BRIAN GUTIÉRREZ

Brian Gutierrez the U-23 USMT Youth team player that plays for Chicago Fire is eligible for Mexico. Someone who I believe is worth paying attention to if you’re a fan of either national teams. 4 games into the MLS season, Gutiérrez has 2 goals and an assist for the Chicago Fire. Last season he had 2 goals and 8 assists in 38 games. Most people are going to say that it’s MLS and that we should focus on the academy instead of bringing in a youth player from elsewhere but to me, he is the real deal. It’s not only the perfect backup for Diego Valdes but also someone who can compete with Diego Valdes. The upside in business is there and the upside in bringing in depth and competition is there. He won’t take up a foreigner spot because of his Mexican roots just like Cade Cowell didn’t for our rivals Chivas. A difficult negotiation because I do think he’s destined to go to Europe, but a negotiation America should look into just like Rayados did with Brandon Vasquez.

MARCELO FLORES

Look I know most of you are going to say this is unrealistic because of the team he plays for but I do think it’s worth a shot asking if he’s available. Many of you don’t rate the kid and some of you used to. Regardless I think looking at his situation and him signing with Tigres it’s just hard for me to believe he’ll ever make a jump to Europe out of there. That’s where I think America can come in and really give him a tempting opportunity. We as America fans know, America will never hold any player hostage and for many years that has killed any potential dynasty that the club could have had after winning a league title. Since arriving at Tigres he has 4 goals and no assists in 21 games and only 1 assist with second division Spanish club Real Oviedo where he flopped. Looking at his competition at Tigres he has to compete with Juan Brunetta and Sebastian Cordova in the attacking midfield and while he’s listed as a winger, his competition on the wing is Diego Lainez, Ozziel Herrera and Luis Quiñones. If he made a move to us, his only competition will be Diego Valdes and would be in a better situation to continue to develop in my opinion. A project type signing but as we know, Santiago Baños loves those. I’m not going to sell you that it’s possible but an idea that I wouldn’t be against.

SEBASTIAN CORDOVA

Do you miss him? I believe former Club America player Sebastian Cordova would be interesting for a return. Diego Valdes came in as his replacement but having both on the team would be a juggernaut. Two players who could easily start and would be very similar to the competition we have on both wings. The ideal type of situation you would want at Club America instead of looking at it from a development perspective, you will have two players that will go at it for that starting role every day at practice. Cordova has 7 goals and 5 assists in the last 44 games and for the 2022/2033 season he had 11 goals and 5 assists in 38 games with Tigres. Very talented player that lacked effort during his time at America. I believe right now Cordova is one of the best most talented players Mexico has to offer and it wouldn’t hurt us to bring back.

BENJAMIN GALDAMES

Another player who we were linked to during his time at Chilean club Union Española but nothing concrete. 23 year old Benjamin Galdames is another project type signing with very big upside. Galdames playing a rotating role in his first season with Atletico San Luis has 3 goals in 9 appearances. Galdames who can play both wings and as an attacking midfielder, we know that André Jardine loves versatility. Dual National who can play for Chile and Mexico, Benjamin has shown that he wants to play for Mexico. America is the perfect team to catapult Galdames into the eyes of the Mexican National team and like I said before, won’t keep him hostage if the opportunity to leave to Europe presents itself.

CARLOS VELA

Yes, I said Carlos Vela. I’m not saying we need to sign him but I do think there is a connection with Club America owner Emilio Azcárraga that could make this signing happen. I don’t believe Carlos Vela wants to ever return to Mexico but the only team that I believe can convince him is arguably Club America. At this stage of his career, I don’t expect him to play 90 minutes consistently. Also, at this stage of his career I don’t expect him to play on the wing. I think Carlos Vela is a perfect super sub. He’ll come in 20-30 minutes and make his impact and if Valdes continues to have injury issues well you can plug in Vela for those handful of games. Last year in 49 games with LAFC Carlos Vela scored 14 goals and assisted 11 times. Currently Carlos Vela is a free agent and if he stays a free agent going into the summer transfer window it wouldn’t surprise me if you start to hear his name around the Liga MX market. I would expect his asking price to drop if that were to happen but with that being said, I don’t believe it’s likely we ever see Carlos Vela in Mexico. At the age of 35, I believe the only league that will not only give him the comfort of life style he’s looking for is MLS but I also believe the only league that will over pay for a player of that age.

RICHARD LEDEZMA

Richard Ledesma known as “Richie” has dealt with injuries in his young career which lead him to being sent on loan last season to New York City FC in Major League Soccer where he had no goals but 4 assists in 27 games. Back at PSV he hasn’t see much playing time but has been on the bench with the Netherland club in league and Champions League. A Dual National who is eligible for United States Mens National team and the Mexican National team, like many other young players he could gain attention from both national teams by playing for Club America. At only 23 years of age, Richie wouldn’t be a bad gamble in my opinion. Ledezma is an attacking midfielder who can play right winger and central midfielder. As stated before, versatility is what Andre Jardine likes.

JESUS ANGULO

“Canelo” at this point has turned into a Liga MX journeyman. Playing for teams like Tijuana, Necaxa, Chivas, Leon and now Toluca I feel like he would fit the role of a substitute, depth player. Similar to former Club America players such as Joe Corona, “Quik” Mendoza and others. He wouldn’t compete with Diego Valdes for the position and will let him rest more instead of playing 90 minutes weekly. Veteran presence who has a good relationship with current players on the team such as “Chicote” Calderon and Kevin Alvarez. In the last 32 games with Toluca, Canelo has scored 5 goals and 2 assists.

Conclusion

A future outside of Diego Valdés is ultimately imminent for America. The 30-year old midfielder still has plenty in the tank you’d imagine. Yet with his recent injury spells and the lack of a true replacement it wouldn’t be surprising if America began contemplating his replacement already. As we discussed the options are there for America. With a talent pool of Mexican eligible players it would make the most sense to get one of the players mentioned in. Which one exactly will depend on the coaching staff and what Andre Jardine wants in his backup number 10. Regardless the summer paints to be a busy time for America. With the evident change in the squad, the vast majority of matches to be played, it seems likely who ever comes in will have plenty of opportunities to gel into the team.