I've just come from the newbies and there are actually quite a few posters there saying we should get shot of Chico and replace him with someone more
rounded.
When that story ran about Madrid offering us a part exchange with either one of Benzema or Higuain there were quite a few among the newbs who held the opinion that it'd be a good deal. I genuinely don't understand why some people, even among our fanbase, think so little of our little pea? Its as if they are so convinced that Chicharito is one dimensional that they blatantly ignore the way he's developing as a footballer.
In the Gold Cup Chicharito's been in sparkling form and not just in front of goal. The flick round the corner pass to Barrera Chico pulled off in Mexico's match with El Salvador was a thing of beauty and the pass for his assist for Mexico's third against Cuba also very well delivered. More encouragingly we've been seeing more of this side to him for a few months now: at Blackburn in the run in he played some lovely passes to Nani and Rooney and his assist for the 2nd away to Shalke was perfectly weighted.
Some people seem to underestimate what Chico has achieved coming from the Mexican league to the Premier League and the Champions League and continuing to produce. When he left Mexico there were posters saying you leave a hero come back a legend!? Every time he pulled on the red shirt last season he must've been under immense pressure not to mess up. Is it any wonder that occasionally his touch would fail him or a pass would go astray with the hopes of a nation on your shoulders like that?
Whats really impressive is that in spite of effectively becoming a national symbol Chicho was still able to keep his cool where it most mattered: in front of goal. Plus, as the season has progressed and his confidence has increased we're now seeing a more polished Chicharito who can create opportunities as well as convert them and if he keeps his tail up there's no telling how far his game can go. I truly believe that we're witnessing the birth of a 14gend.