cgf wrote:
I don't think Gio deserved to be the runner up to Mueller. Oezil, Chicharito, Guardado, Sanchez and a few others out played him in my eyes. He's still got that potential, but his failure to develop has a large part to do with the flaws in his game that made me rank those other youngsters above his level of play. His individual talents massively outweigh his skill at integrating into a team, he made some impressive runs at the WC, but often would have no idea what to do from there to finish the opportunity he managed to create. He didn't have that instinct for where his support was going to be coming from that a top notch player needs. If that recognition of the game around him hasn't improved, then he's really not going to help a premier league squad that has been trying to sneak into the top 4 while he's been there. Now I haven't followed his situation closely and am basing a lot of my opinion on his performance with Mexico at the WC, so there maybe significant parts to the story that I'm missing but I don't think it's any sort of travesity that Gio hasn't been spoon fed PT if he hasn't gotten smarter over the past 2 years.
I don't know.
How can Gio develop as player if he never was given a legit opportunity to show his worth? Like I said, he's done well with the NT, Gold Cup and Copa America (he was busting his ass all around the pitch, hard tackles despite playing with a depleted U-22 Mexican team). What more can he prove? I have to remind myself he is only 22 years old. But then again, he would have made a name for himself much earlier if he was given a decent opportunity in the first place. He's been in and out of Tottenham for loan teams. That's essentially his PT in the last couple of years.
Today's friendly against Poland, he entered as a sub for Sinha (a player that shouldn't be anywhere near the NT) at halftime, and Mexico looked much more dangerous on the pitch. Gio was pushing tempo and delivering good service to his teammates. I asked myself, why isn't he in the first team for Tottenham? The dude definitely can contribute for them.
At the end of the day , I re-watch Gio in his Barcelona days and say to myself, "damn, this kid could have been great" instead I usually say "Give Gio PT damn it!!".
As I said, it is easy to prove what I told you. Go to ASY.net, open a topic and we'll see what actual fans think about it.
